While public health in Ottawa is urging residents to boost their protection against COVID-19 this fall, new statistics show that Ottawa has one of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in Ontario. According to data from Public Health Ontario, Ottawa has the third highest rate of residents aged 18 and over with three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario, at 68.73 percent. The Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark District Health Units also have the highest third-dose vaccination rates at 72.41 percent, followed by Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox, and Addington Public Health at 71.32 percent.

Also, all adults in Ottawa aged 18 and older are now eligible to receive the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, which targets Omicron variants. Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches urges people to book an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine as its levels rise in the community. Etches said last week: "This is the right time to boost protection against COVID-19 with the bivalent vaccine, it is the best match for the Omicron variant currently circulating."

In the same context, appointments for doses can be booked through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Regional Vaccine Contact Centre (PVCC) at 1-833-943-3900. You can also book a vaccine appointment at selected Ottawa pharmacies. Here you can get the COVID-19 vaccine in Ottawa: Orleans Rudy Family YMCA-YWCA at 265 Centrum Boulevard, Albion Heatherington Recreation Centre at 1560 Heatherington Road (Tuesday to Thursday from 1 pm to 7 pm), Ledbury Pavilion at 1250 Ledbury Avenue (Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm), Bayshore Field House at 175 Woodridge Crescent (Tuesday to Thursday from 11 am to 5 pm, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm), AMA Community Centre at 1216 Hunt Club Road (Tuesday to Thursday from 1 pm to 7 pm), Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre at 332 Paul Anka Drive (Tuesday and Thursday from 1 pm to 7 pm), Bellevue Community Centre at 1475 Caldwell Street (Thursday from 1 pm to 7 pm and Friday from 10 am to 4 pm), Greenboro Library at 363 Lorry Greenberg Drive (Tuesday and Thursday from 1 pm to 7 pm, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm), ABC Wellness Centre at 1021 Cyrville Road (Wednesday from 1 pm to 4 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm), Rideau High School at 815 Saint Laurent Street (Tuesday and Thursday from 1 pm to 7 pm and Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm), Canadian Mental Health Association at 311 McArthur Avenue (Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 pm to 7 pm and Friday from 10 am to 4 pm), and Rald Plaza Library at 1547 Merival Road (Tuesday from 1 pm to 7 pm, Wednesday from 10 am to 4 pm, Friday from 1 pm to 4 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm).