Canadians may be in the thick of winter, but the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recently unveiled guidelines for an extra dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for the upcoming spring.
On Friday, NACI released updated guidelines on the COVID-19 boosters for spring 2024.
“A sufficient source of XBB. 1. 5 vaccine has already been purchased through the federal government and is expected to be available for a campaign in spring 2024,” NACI said in the statement. “However, a spring program would require more resources to implement, compared to a fall program that can leverage the infrastructure of the current flu vaccination program. “
Beginning in spring 2024, NACI recommends that the following Canadians who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 be eligible to receive an additional dose of XBB. 1. 5:
The existing COVID-19 subvariants circulating in Canada are of Omicron origin, which is targeted by the currently updated vaccines.
The threat of severe illness from the virus is greatest in adults 80 and older, NACI said. However, other seniors 65 and older are included in the advice as “recognition that the threat of severe illness exists on a gradient among older adults. “
For those who are unvaccinated and severely immunocompromised, it is recommended to start their number one vaccination series with an XBB. 1. 5 vaccine. If they are five years old or older, they deserve to receive two doses, 4 to 8 weeks apart. If you are between six months and less than five years old, 3 to 4 doses are recommended.
For those at higher risk for severe COVID-19, an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in the spring of 2024 could further enhance the immune response, NACI said.
“Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine in the spring is especially vital for Americans at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 who did not receive a dose of the XBB. 1. 5 COVID-19 vaccine in the fall program,” the statements said.
The recommended period between doses is still six months. However, a shorter period of at least three months would possibly be used for the implementation and timing of the spring campaign.
NACI reported that the overall vaccination rate has decreased with the additional campaign, but remains higher among older adults (particularly those 80 and older).
Last spring, the national vaccination policy between April 1 and June 18, 2023, was estimated at about 11% among adults 65 and older.
The fall campaign, which kicked off in October 2023, has now seen 14.6 per cent of eligible Canadians receiving the updated XBB.1.5 variant vaccine.