On October 13th, 2023, the Ministry of Health issued a guidance document.  The Ministry have updated the EO Notice to include information regarding the newly approved Pfizer and Moderna XXB.1.5 vaccines.

Effective October 13th, 2023, the Ministry is recommending that: 

All individuals eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine this fall should be offered the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 XBB formulations. 

Individuals who have previously been vaccinated, meaning they have completed their primary vaccination series and are now eligible for a booster dose, may be offered the Moderna or Pfizer XBB vaccine if it has been at least 6 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or since their last COVID-19 infection. A minimum interval of 3 months since the patient’s last COVID-19 vaccine dose or COVID-19 infection may also be considered based on the judgment of pharmacy professionals and specific patient factors. 

The XBB formulation is the preferred product for individuals who have not been previously vaccinated against COVID-19.

The new XBB formulations will be made available to the general public beginning on October 30th, 2023.