Ontario’s top doctor to make announcement about 4th COVID-19 doses

Ontarians are expected to learn today the province’s plan to expand access to fourth COVID-19 shots.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore is also set to provide an update on the future of the province’s free rapid antigen test program that is scheduled to expire at the end of July.

Moore’s morning press conference follows calls for more details on Ontario’s fourth-dose rollout amid a summer wave of COVID-19 infections driven by the BA.5 Omicron subvariant.

People aged 60 and older, immunocompromised people and Indigenous people are among the select groups currently eligible for second booster shots, but access is not yet open to all adults.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended booster shots this fall in advance of a possible COVID wave.

Ontario’s top public health doctor said last week that the province was considering expanding eligibility for fourth doses and promised a decision in the near future.