Halton Opening Booster Appointments to 50+ Starting Monday

By: Laura Steiner. Local Journalism Initiative
Halton Region is opening booster/third dose appointments  of the COVID-19 vaccine to residents 50 years of age and over beginning Monday December 13, 2021.
“We have had great success with our vaccination program so far and 87% of our residents are fully vaccinated,” Halton Region Chair Gary Carr said.  Residents are eligible six months (or 168 days) following the second dose.
Three cases of the Omicron variant were confirmed earlier this month related to travel to Nigeria.  Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hamidah Meghani is urging residents to get the third as an extra layer of protection.  “If you are eligible for a third dose, I encourage you to get it as soon as possible to gain an extra layer of protection,” Meghani said.  Residents can book through the Region of Halton’s official website  or by calling 3-1-1
The Region of Halton will continue to prioritize first, and second doses.  Starting Monday, community clinics will resume offering walk-ins for residents 12 years and older.  Pediatric clinics will not be accepting walk-ins for any vaccine appointments.  Residents can also book appointments at pharmacies through this website
The Region of Halton recorded an increase of 74 new cases.  13 of those come from Milton.  There is a single outbreak in a congregate living setting with 84 cases.  Halton records a 1.1 positivity rate.  Area hospitals deal with six cases of COVID-19 (4- Acute Care, 2- ICU).  87% of residents have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Ontario reported an increase of 1,453.  639 new cases have been reported in residents who are not vaccinated, while 96 are in those whose vaccinated status is unknown. 309 have been hospitalized, and 151 are in the ICU.