As a seventh wave of COVID-19 begins to ravage Canada, with Omicron BA.5 subvariant conduction transmission, some provinces are expanding eligibility for a fourth dose of the vaccine.
The National Immunization Advisory Committee (NACI) released its guidelines for a fall reinforcement campaign late last month. The committee recommended that people at higher risk for COVID-19 be offered a vaccine in the fall, and added that anyone between the ages of 12 and 64 may also be eligible at that time.
Although all provinces offer a fourth dose to eligible groups, as of June 19, just over half of Canadians have not yet received their third dose, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
“It would really double those efforts, in terms of getting fourth doses to the most vulnerable and third doses to many people who are still eligible but have not yet received them,” said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist.
While most provinces already offer a fourth chance (or, for the general population, a second boost) to their most vulnerable residents, some, such as Quebec and Prince Edward Island, have substantially expanded the eligibility.
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Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch explains who benefits from more than a fourth dose of COVID-19, but also stresses the need for many people to simply get a third injection.
“Those who will benefit more than a fourth dose are people at the higher end of the spectrum and people with underlying medical conditions that put them at greater risk of serious infection,” Bogoch said, speaking specifically of the eligibility guidelines in July 2022.
“That’s what the data suggests,” he said. “So even if it opens, just remember that it’s who will benefit from more than a fourth dose.”
CBC News has compiled the eligibility guidelines for all provinces and territories.
The north and west coast
Agnes Mills, 85, was the first person in the Yukon to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Last week, the Yukon government extended eligibility for a fourth shot to Yukoners 18 years of age or older. (Photo by Mark Kelly / Yukon Government)
Last week, the Yukon government extended eligibility for a fourth shot.
All people over the age of 18 can now book a fourth injection if six months have passed since their third injection. Appointments begin July 13th. For those who have had COVID-19 recently, a fourth injection (or a second booster) is not recommended until three months have passed.
In the Northwest Territories, all persons 50 years of age or older and all immunocompromised persons 12 years of age or older are eligible for a fourth dose. According to NACI guidelines, the territory recommends that people wait at least six months after the third dose before booking another injection.
Nunavut residents 18 years of age or older can receive a fourth dose if four and a half months have passed since their last dose. Some jurisdictions are prioritizing specific age groups.
In British Columbia, everyone aged 12 and over is encouraged to receive a booster vaccine this fall if six months have passed since their last dose.
The groups currently eligible for a fourth dose are people 70 years of age or older; people in long-term care or waiting to be placed in long-term care; Indigenous people aged 55 and over; and all immunocompromised people.
Les Prades
A scene from the COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Thompson, Man. on February 1, 2021. Among other groups, all Manitobans age 50 and older are eligible for a fourth dose of the vaccine. (Tyson Koschik / CBC)
In Alberta, people over the age of 70 are eligible for a fourth dose; First Nations, Métis and Inuit people aged 65 and over; and all older people living in congregated care settings, regardless of age.
According to the latest data available of the Public Health Agency of Canada, 38% of the population of Alberta has received a third dose.
In Saskatchewan, all people 50 years of age or older are eligible for a fourth dose if at least four months have passed since they last received the injection.
The groups that can receive a fourth dose of the vaccine in Manitoba are people 50 years of age or older; First Nations, Inuit and Métis people aged 30 and over; residents of personal residences and seniors living in congregated settings; and moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals aged 18 to 49 years.
Central Canada
The Vaccibus Mobile Clinic in Gatineau, Que., Makes a stop at the Université du Québec en Outaouais in the first week of September 2021. Quebec has extended eligibility for a fourth dose of the vaccine to all 18-year-old residents or more. (Hugo Belanger / Radio-Canada)
In Ontario, people 60 and older can receive their fourth dose, as can Inuit, Métis, and First Nations people 18 and older. The province’s medical health director will provide an update on access Wednesday morning. Quebec and Ontario officially entered the seventh wave of the pandemic last week, with the Omicron BA.5 subvariant dominating the two provinces.
Quebec, meanwhile, has extended eligibility to all residents 18 years of age or older, although a provincial spokesman confirmed to CBC News that the province prioritizes people 60 years of age or older, all people with underlying medical conditions, and anyone at increased risk for complications from COVID. -19.
Atlantic Canada
This photo shows the Halifax Convention Center Clinic. Nova Scotia’s current guidelines allow for fourth doses for people aged 50 and over if 168 days have passed since their last dose. (Robert Short / CBC)
Prince Edward Island’s public health director announced last week that the province has extended eligibility for a fourth vaccine to all residents 12 years of age or older, as the number of positive cases of COVID- 19 increases among the islanders.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, those who can receive a fourth dose of the vaccine are people 70 years of age or older; all people living in a congregated environment for the elderly; and indigenous people or people living in a remote or isolated indigenous community 18 years of age or older.
As of Tuesday, all New Brunswick residents 18 years of age or older are eligible for a fourth dose of the vaccine if five months have passed since their last injection. The medical director of health, Dr. Jennifer Russell, announced the decision as hospitalizations in the province increase.
Nova Scotia’s current guidelines allow for fourth doses for people aged 50 and over if 168 days have passed since their last dose.
For all residents of long-term care centers and congregations of the elderly; members of First Nations communities aged 55 or over; and immunocompromised individuals 50 years of age or older, the recommended dose interval is 120 days.
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