Ottawa public health officials are stepping up their game this spring. They deeply care that our seniors and people most at-risk from COVID-19 get their vaccine. Those are the parameters—beyond that, the city is preparing to begin administering booster shots to set groups. It is especially zeroed in on those who are more vulnerable to the worst effects of the virus. We recognize that COVID-19 transmission is currently low in Ottawa. Public health leaders are remaining cautious in part because of the possible spread of new variants.
In addition, the spring booster is still available to the following high-risk groups. This essentially covers all adults 65 and older, residents of long-term care or other congregate settings, and people six months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised from underlying conditions or treatments. It is free and recommended for everyone aged 55 years and older, including those who are First Nations, Inuit, or Métis. Their non-Indigenous household members, who must be 55 and older, qualify too.
Current COVID-19 Situation in Ottawa
Ottawa is currently experiencing very low levels of COVID-19 transmission. At the end of May, only six people were hospitalized with the virus. Public health officials have remained on guard even as numbers remain low. Older adults, those over 65 years of age, account for the highest percentage of hospitalizations. Since the end of 2024, 118 people have required hospitalization in Ottawa alone. At the same time, more than 93 percent of those patients were 60 and older.
No cases of this new Nimbus variant have been identified in Ottawa, officials stressed. Everything they said went back to the need to ensure that our most vulnerable populations stay protected. We know that the COVID-19 vaccine has been effective at preventing severe outcomes, but this protection starts to wear off four months later. Therefore, timely vaccination of people at high risk is critical.
Vaccine Availability and Recommendations
Ontario is starting up a COVID-19 vaccine program again this spring. This effort does more than align with flu shot campaign; it focuses on protecting the most at-risk populations. The quick rollout hopes to make seniors, as well as people in other high-risk populations, get protected before another possible surge of COVID-19 hits. Unfortunately Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has sounded alarm. The Council members pointed out that spring and fall immunization campaign timelines do not sync up with COVID-19 surges.
NACI has previously recommended that ideally it would be best timing for two COVID-19 immunization campaigns to be July and November. We hope this recommendation shines a light on the need for continued fine-tuning in vaccination strategies to improve our community’s protection against future outbreaks.
Vaccination Rates and Public Health Efforts
In Ottawa, vaccination rates have been heading in the wrong direction. Since September 30, 2024, only 18 percent of the population is up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccine series. This statistic reinforces the value of public health campaigns focused on improving awareness and access to vaccines.
Health officials are working diligently to communicate the benefits of vaccination and encourage those eligible to take action. The upcoming spring booster campaign provides an important opportunity to protect at-risk communities. It is meant to protect against serious disease and hospitalization from COVID-19.
