In addition to masking in indoor public settings, public health and medical experts are pointing to the new COVID-19 bivalent boosters as another way of offering protection against serious illness.

And primary care physician Dr. Andrew Boozary says older Ontario residents are behind in getting the latest shot.

“We’re seeing dismal numbers in uptake for people over 60 when again the calculus here is life and death,” Dr. Boozary told CP24, “I know that the public has been through so much but we have not seen the health system stretched in this way.”

You are eligible for a bivalent booster if it’s been at least 84 days since your last COVID-19 shot.

The recommendation is for a period of 168 days or 20 weeks.

Pharmacists suggest while you’re getting your flu shot, get your bivalent shot, or vice versa.

To book a COVID-19 vaccine through Ontario’s Ministry of Health, click here or call the hotline at 1-833-943-3900.