COVID-19 Vaccine Program Spring Update
To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: April 14, 2025
From: Dr. Laura Bourns, Deputy Medical Officer of Health
Dear Colleagues,
The Ministry of Health has announced updates to Ontario’s 2024/2025 COVID-19 vaccine program, including high-risk populations recommended and eligible to have an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as part of the spring vaccination program.
- In accordance with recent National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) guidance, Ontario’s 2024/2025 COVID-19 vaccine program will become an annual program, starting in September and ending in August. This is in alignment with the Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP).
- In fall 2024, unimmunized individuals or those that did not complete their primary series should have finished their primary series. All other individuals should have received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
- In spring 2025 (April – June), previously immunized high-risk populations who have completed their primary series should receive an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
- For doses requested after June 30 healthcare providers should use discretion to determine the benefit of receiving dose(s) at the minimum interval versus receiving dose(s) during the next annual COVID-19 vaccine program (i.e., 2025/2026) to ensure optimal protection against the circulating strains
Spring Dose Eligibility
In alignment with NACI recommendations, an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for previously immunized high-risk individuals, who have completed their primary series. Eligible populations include:
- Adults 65 years of age and older.
- NACI recommends that those 80 years and older should receive an additional dose of vaccine while those 65 to 79 years of age may receive an additional dose of vaccine.
- Adult residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings for seniors.
- Individuals 6 months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (due to an underlying condition or treatment).
- Individuals 55 years and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Metis and their non-Indigenous household members who are 55 years and older.
Eligible individuals (as outlined above) are recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine if it has been 6 months from the previous COVID-19 vaccine dose or test-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (whichever is later). A shorter interval of 3 months may be used.
Individuals who are not high-risk are not recommended to receive any dose(s) in the spring regardless of whether dose(s) were received in or prior to the fall. These individuals are recommended to be vaccinated during the next annual COVID-19 vaccine program (i.e., 2025/2026) to ensure optimal protection against circulating strains.
Please refer to the Ministry of Health’s Health Care Provider Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Vaccine for detailed COVID-19 vaccine recommendations based on vaccine history and immune status of the individual.
Vaccine Availability
Participating pharmacies and participating healthcare providers are the primary providers of the COVID-19 vaccine for Spring 2025.
Ottawa Public Health will offer COVID-19 vaccine to eligible high-risk individuals facing significant barriers to access in the community, including newcomers without OHIP and children under 5 years of age. Visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVID19vaccine for more information.
As per the COVID-19: Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidance, it is important to take every opportunity to vaccinate eligible individuals, especially those who may be less likely to return for recommended doses. While unused doses in open multi-dose vials are expected to increase as overall vaccination rates decrease, it remains important to limit expiry of closed vials through proper inventory management and storage and handling.