Questions answered

Why are there two boosters?

The Ontario Ministry of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Recommendations Version 8.1 May 2nd, 2022 recommendations are:

First Nation, Inuit and Métis Adults First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals, and their non-Indigenous household members, 18 years of age and older may be offered a second booster dose, as these communities have an increased risk for severe disease due to a variety of intersecting factors including underlying medical conditions and potential decreased access to health care (NACI, 2022). The second booster dose may be offered ≥five months (140 days) after their first booster dose at the discretion of their health care provider. The minimum interval for the second booster dose is 3 months (84 days) after their first booster dose. As per NACI, whether or not booster dose vaccine programs are needed in Indigenous communities should be determined by First Nation, Inuit and Métis leadership and their communities, and with the support of public health partners in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Information from the Mayo Clinic states:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its recommendations to allow people who received an initial booster dose at least four months ago to receive another mRNA booster (Pfizer or Moderna) to increase their protection against severe disease of COVID-19 if they are:

  • Age 50 or older.
  • Age 12 or older and are immunosuppressed.

Boosters are safe and increase protection from COVID-19. A second booster is especially important for those who are immunosuppressed, those age 65 and older, and those 50 and older with underlying conditions. These are the groups most likely to benefit from the additional boosting.

Adults ages 18–49 who received a primary vaccination and a booster dose of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least four months ago also may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.