More Ontarians eligible for 4th COVID-19 vaccine Thursday

More Ontarians are eligible for a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine starting today.

People aged 60 and older in the province can book an appointment, as well as First Nations, Inuit and Metis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and above.

It is recommended to receive the fourth shot five months after the initial booster dose.

Ontarians can schedule appointments using the provincial vaccine portal, public health units with separate booking systems, Indigenous-led vaccination clinics and some pharmacies.

Long-term care and retirement home residents and immunocompromised people in Ontario can already get the fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Health Minister Christine Elliott says a fourth shot provides an extra layer of protection against Omicron and the BA.2 variant.