The wait to get a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine will end for more Ontarians.
Beginning the week of June 28, all Ontarians 18 and older who got a first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines can book an appointment for a second dose. The exact date has yet to be determined.
Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott also announced Thursday that residents who received the first dose of an mRNA vaccine before May 10, can book starting Monday, June 21.
The expansion comes after the province hit a milestone in vaccinations. Three-quarters of Ontario residents have received a first dose as of Thursday morning, and 19 per cent have had both shots.
Elliott said the reopening of Ontario's economy was made possible by increasing vaccination rates and a steady drop in new COVID-19 cases.
"Across the province, Ontarians have been able to make the best of the sunny weather and safely resume many of the activities we all enjoy, whether it's shopping at local retailers, catching up with friends on a patio, or spending the weekend camping," said Elliott. "A key component of our ability to do this stems from the ongoing success of Ontario's vaccine rollout."
This week, expansion began for people who had the AstraZeneca vaccine as their first dose. The ministry said the second dose of any type of vaccine can be given within an eight-to-12-week interval.
The spread of COVID-19 variants remains a concern, however. Elliott also announced that three additional public health regions were declared hotspots for the Delta variant, Hamilton, Simcoe-Muskoka, and Durham Region.
A total of 12-million doses of a vaccine have been administered to Ontarians so far.
Complete information on vaccine eligibility and how to book an appointment can be found on the province's official website.
