Ontario Ministry of Health issued recommendations for the use of the Moderna Spikevax® Bivalent (50mcg) COVID-19 vaccine (bivalent) and Toronto Public Health (TPH) is prepared for the next phase of its vaccination campaign. 

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On September 1, 2022, Health Canada authorized use of the Moderna Spikevax® Bivalent (50mcg) COVID-19 vaccine (bivalent) as a booster dose in adults aged 18 and older. This is the first bivalent Omicron-containing mRNA COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use in Canada. Clinical trial results showed that a booster dose of the Moderna Spikevax® bivalent vaccine triggers a strong immune response against both Omicron and the original SARS-CoV-2 virus strain. These findings included that the bivalent booster generated a good immune response against the Omicron BA.1, BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. More information is available on the City’s COVID-19: About the Vaccines webpage.

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The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that individuals who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should be offered a fall COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. NACI also states that the bivalent vaccine may also be offered to adolescents 12 to 17 years of age with moderately to severely immunocompromising conditions.

Due to widespread circulation of the Omicron variant, many Torontonians aged 12 years and older may have been previously infected with COVID-19. NACI continues to recommend that COVID-19 booster doses may be offered at an interval of six months after a previous COVID-19 vaccine dose or SARS-CoV-2 infection, regardless of the product offered. However, a shorter interval of at least three months may be warranted in the context of heightened epidemiologic risk, as well as operational considerations for the efficient deployment of the vaccine program. More information is available in the NACI recommendation report  and on the City’s COVID-19: Vaccine Eligibility& Doses webpage.

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All eligible residents are encouraged to get their next dose of vaccine as soon as possible. As with vaccinations for other diseases, people are protected best when their COVID-19 vaccinations are up to date. COVID-19 vaccinations have been scientifically proven to lower the risk of illness, hospitalization and death, while protecting people, their loved ones and the community.

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses.

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Groups eligible as of Monday, September 26:

• Anyone over the age of 18 who has, at a minimum, completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine series (in general, two doses) regardless of the number of booster doses received.

• Individuals 18 and older will be eligible to book an appointment for clinics occurring Monday, September 26 and beyond. A limited number of walk-in appointments for the bivalent vaccine will also be available to this group September 26 and beyond.

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Time between doses

The recommended interval between receiving a previous COVID-19 vaccine dose and this new bivalent mRNA COVID-19 booster dose is 6 months. Individuals can choose to get their booster dose after a minimum of 3 months, with informed consent. A longer time between doses may result in a better immune response to the subsequent dose. Public Health also suggests that people wait 6 months after a COVID-19 infection to get their next dose; however, at minimum, a 3-month interval is possible with informed consent. A longer interval between infection and vaccination may result in a better immune response.

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Quick facts

• Public Health strongly recommends that all older adults and people with underlying illnesses get a bivalent booster dose as soon as possible regardless of the number of booster doses they previously received.

• All individuals 5 years and older are encouraged to consider a booster dose to help build long-term protection against COVID-19 infection.

• For adults 18 years and older, the Moderna bivalent Omicron-containing mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is preferred over the original monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for fall booster doses.

• Individuals 12 to 17 years of age who are immunocompromised may be offered the bivalent Omicron-containing mRNA COVID-19 booster doses off-label. Individuals 12 to 17 years of age who are not immunosuppressed will be offered the original monovalent mRNA vaccine for their booster dose (Pfizer-BioNTech preferred).

• The original mRNA COVID-19 vaccines remain available at Public Health’s clinics.

• Bivalent booster doses and other COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time as the influenza (flu) vaccine or at any interval before or after other vaccines for individuals 5 years of age and older.

• COVID-19 vaccines are recommended and available for all individuals 6 months and older.

 

Contact your health care provide to ask about which vaccine to receive or to discuss whether the vaccine is right for you..