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Alliston Memorial Arena will host SMDHU booster clinic

November 18, 2021   ·   0 Comments

Alliston Memorial Arena will be a location for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s clinics for booster doses for eligible people in “high-risk” groups.

Online booking for appointments began November 12. 

“Although evidence continues to show that a complete two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series provides strong protection against COVID-19 infection and severe outcomes in the general population, there are some groups where immunity wanes over time and those who are at highest-risk that would benefit from an extra layer of protection against COVID-19,” the Health Unit said in a statement.

People considered to be high-risk include, transplant patients, those with solid tumours or hematological cancers on active treatment, those who are severe primary immunodeficiency or advanced untreated HIV, recipients of specific immunocompromising medications, residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes and First Nation elder care lodges, and seniors living in other congregate settings.

In November, the eligibility for a booster dose was expanded to include the following high-risk groups: individuals aged 70 and over, health care workers and designated essential caregivers in congregate settings including long-term care home and retirement home staff, individuals who received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine, First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults and their non-indigenous household members who are 16 years of age or older. 

If you are eligible, you will receive a booster dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine at least six months after your second dose was given.

If you are eligible for a booster dose, you can book an appointment through the on-line COVID-19 vaccination portal.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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