Halton to Offer earlier Vaccine appointments to Residents Beginning Monday

By: Laura Steiner, Local Journalism Initiative, Milton Reporter

Halton Region will start offering second COVID-19 vaccine appointments to residents.  Beginning Monday June 14, anyone who received their first doses before May 10, will be eligible to book earlier appointments through the online booking system.

“We are pleased to be able to offer earlier second dose appointments to more residents based on the vaccine supply,” Halton Region Chair Gary Carr said.  The region has already given 71% of youth 12 years of age and over their first doses.

Halton residents will also be able to choose the Pfizer of Moderna vaccine at the time of booking.  The advice follows guidance from both Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization that the Moderna, and Pfizer vaccines are interchangeable.  “As we enter Step 1 of the Province’s plan and continue moving forward, completing second doses as soon as possible is critical for gaining protection from COVID-19 and variants of concern,” Halton Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hamidah Meghani said.  The region advises that residents that two doses of the vaccine will help with full protection from COVID-19 and the variants.  Residents should still be following public health guidelines despite their vaccination status.

There are seven mass vaccination clinics throughout the four Halton municipalities, including one in Milton at the FirstOntario Centre for the Arts.  Over 100 pharmacies throughout the region are offering vaccines, including 15 in the Milton area.   Anyone over the age of 12 who have not yet gotten their first dose is encouraged to book an appoint as soon as possible.

Approximately 72% of Halton residents have at least one dose of the vaccine.  Halton recorded an increase of 10 COVID-19 cases as of Saturday.