With the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s largest ever vaccine shipment expected to arrive within days, and the addition of over 40,000 appointments to its mass vaccination clinics and another 2,000 through primary care, more people can now book second doses sooner. The Health Unit announced today that those who received a first dose of vaccine on or before May 30th, may now rebook their second dose vaccination appointment at a shorter interval, provided at least 28 days have passed since their first dose.

It is essential that anyone who received a first dose of mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) on May 28th, 29th or 30th not book an appointment scheduled for before June 27th, as 28 days is the minimum time allowed between doses. The expanded eligibility for shortened second dose intervals does not apply for people who received a first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, as at least eight weeks are required between doses.

As of this afternoon, more than 40,000 appointments have been added to the Health Unit’s vaccination appointment booking system. Having recently added more staff to its mass vaccination clinics and given the recent large shipments of vaccine it has received, the Health Unit is confident it can ramp up the effort and meet the demand, as the newly available appointments get booked up.

“With increasing numbers of Delta variant cases being reported in our region this week, it is as important as ever to get those second dose appointments booked,” says Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “By opening up these new appointments, it gives an additional 43,000 people in London and Middlesex County the chance to have a two-dose summer.”

Here's how to book a new second-dose appointment:

• Visit www.covidvaccinelm.ca (new appointments open daily at 8:00 a.m.)
• For those vaccinated on or before May 30th, and for whom it has been at least 28 days since their first dose, enter Gate #4, I need to re-book my scheduled second dose.
• For those who received a first dose in another setting or out of region, and for whom it has been at least 28 days since their first dose, enter Gate #5, I received my first dose elsewhere and now need to book a second dose.
• Call 226-289-3560 (8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday to Sunday)

For more information about how to book or cancel a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, visit: https://www.healthunit.com/covid-19-vaccine-eligibility

Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-663-5317 ext. 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)

Spokesperson:
Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit