Ontario's GO-VAXX bus will be in Innisfil today, with bivalent vaccines against COVID-19 available by appointment or walk-in.
The bivalent vaccine is an updated formula designed to create antibodies (protection) against two types or strains of the COVID-19 virus, including the original strain and the Omicron variant. The bivalent vaccine is recommended as a booster six months after a person's last dose of COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 infection. However, it can be administered as early as three months after a previous dose or infection.
The GO-VAXX bus will be at the Innisfil-Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre, 7325 Yonge St. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14.
There will be pop-up and GO-VAXX bus vaccine clinics in Simcoe County and Muskoka this week offering all doses of the vaccines for COVID-19. All doses of the vaccines are available at the clinics by appointment or for walk in for people aged five years and older, including the bivalent booster dose for people aged 12 and older, as capacity allows.
The clinics for the week of Nov. 14 to 21 are as follows:
Monday, Nov. 14
- Pop-up clinic at Bracebridge Active Living Centre for Seniors, 54 Dominion St., Bracebridge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- GO-VAXX bus at Innisfil Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre, 7325, Yonge St., Innisfil, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 15
- Pop-up clinic at Port McNicoll Public Library, 715 4th Ave., Port McNicoll, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 16
- GO-VAXX bus at Penetanguishene Arena, 61 Maria St., Penetanguishene, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 17
- Pop-up clinic at D.A. Jones Library, 42 Main St. W, Beeton, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Pop-up clinic at Bracebridge Legion, 168 Muskoka Rd. S, Bracebridge, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 18
- Pop-up clinic at Baxter Ward Community Centre, 25 Community Centre Dr., Port Severn, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 19
- GO-VAXX bus at Gravenhurst Centennial Centre, 101 Centennial Dr., Gravenhurst from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 21
- GO-VAXX bus (bivalent only) at Wasaga Beach RecPlex, 1724 Mosely St., Wasaga Beach, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Appointments for the GO-VAXX bus and mobile clinics may also be booked up to four days prior to the clinic through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
The health unit continues to offer COVID-19 vaccinations on an appointment-only basis to individuals aged six months and older at the Georgian Mall, 509 Bayfield St. (upper level) in Barrie:
- Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Appointments are also available at the health unit office immunization clinic locations in Midland, Orillia, Cookstown, Collingwood, Huntsville and Gravenhurst and can be booked through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
In addition, the RVH COVID-19 Immunization Clinic at 29 Sperling Dr. in Barrie continues to offer booked appointments and walk-ins from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Appointments may also be booked with the Couchiching Ontario Health Team Clinic located in the Orillia Soldier's Memorial Hospital Kiwanis Building - West Entrance 170 Colborne St., W.
Individuals six months of age and older may also receive the vaccine at some local pharmacies or booked appointments through some primary care providers, and Family Health Teams who are offering the vaccine as part of their regular clinical practice. Pop-up and GO-VAXX mobile clinics will continue to be scheduled throughout Simcoe and Muskoka.
Individuals are recommended to receive the bivalent booster six months after their last dose of COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 infection, however, people who want to receive their booster earlier can do so at a minimum of three months. As we approach the fall respiratory season, high-risk populations are recommended to receive their bivalent booster as soon as they are eligible (i.e. the minimum three-month interval) to protect themselves as people spend more time indoors.
Staying up to date with all COVID-19 vaccine doses you are currently eligible for remains the best defence against infection, severe illness, long-term COVID-19 symptoms, hospitalization, and death.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccination, dose eligibility and booking an appointment, please visit www.smdhu.org/GetVaccinated.
