B.C. offering COVID-19 vaccine boosters to everyone 12 and up next year
The B.C. government has announced that booster shots of COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to several vulnerable groups before the end of the year, and to the broader population beginning in January.
The province has already started distributing third doses in long-term care homes and assisted living facilities, where some elderly residents are said to have developed weaker antibody responses following vaccination, resulting in another wave of deadly outbreaks.
Extra shots have also been given to some B.C. residents considered extremely clinically vulnerable due to serious health conditions, and to some Indigenous communities that have seen high rates of transmission.
But provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said emerging data suggests a booster shot could provide much longer-lasting protection to the general population as well, prompting the decision to expand eligibility to everyone age 12 and up next year.
"The immunity that we get from these vaccines wanes a little bit over time," Henry said. "But it doesn't fall off a cliff – it's not like you're no longer protected overall, it slowly goes down."
Henry stressed that two doses of vaccine, in any combination, will be enough to protect most people through the winter respiratory season, so the government is first focusing on those most at risk of decreasing immunity and serious infection.
"Most of us have good, strong protection and we don't need a booster dose right now, but come next spring it is something we should consider for longer-term protection," she said.
Through the end of December, additional doses are being offered to seniors age 70 and up, Indigenous residents age 12 and up, clients of long-term home supports, seniors in independent living, and health-care workers who received their two doses in quick intervals back when B.C. began its immunization program last year.
Growing research has found that shorter intervals have led to weaker immunity over time, with the strongest protection forming in those who received their second dose more than six weeks after their first.
While the United States opted for an interval of three to four weeks, B.C. was an early adopter of extending the waiting period between shots. Henry said that's shown a positive impact on cell-mediated immunity, a bodily response that's independent of antibodies.
"What we have seen is the cell mediated immunity – so those memory cells that we have as part of our immune system – those mature and give good strong protection over time and that interval made a difference in how that cell mediated immunity develops in people," she said.
The province said only the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccines will be used for boosters, and can be used in any combination.
Going forward, health officials said only first doses will be offered through drop-in appointments. Second doses, third doses and boosters will be by appointment only for logistical purposes and to avoid waste.
Once again, the government is asking pharmacies across the province to help distribute boosters along with local health authorities.
The announcement of widely offered third doses led some B.C. residents to immediately question whether there would be an eventual impact on proof-of-vaccination requirements for non-discretionary activities like attending sporting events and going to the movies. Health officials said third doses will not be required under the B.C. vaccine card system.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Canada will be absolutely fine': Justin Trudeau, his ministers and Pierre Poilievre congratulate Donald Trump
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his cabinet congratulated Donald Trump Wednesday morning on his second United States presidential election win, amid questions about how the federal government intends to navigate a second term.
What Donald Trump's election victory could mean for Canada
Following president-elect Donald Trump's decisive election victory, there are sure to be significant knock-on effects for Canada. Here's a look at the different areas in which a second Trump presidency may affect Canadians.
Kamala Harris concedes: Here's what she said in her speech
Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris conceded the U.S. election to Republican Donald Trump Wednesday afternoon, telling her supporters that her 'heart is full.'
Canada orders wind up of TikTok's Canadian business, app access to continue
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok's Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Newfoundland hockey player suspended, banned from local arena after off-ice fight with fan
A combination of a thrown stick and thrown punches have given a senior hockey player in Newfoundland a three-game suspension and an indefinite ban from one of his league's six arenas.
Controversial Australian Olympic breakdancer 'Raygun' retires from competition
Australian breaker Rachael Gunn has told a Sydney radio station that she plans to retire from competition just three months after her unconventional routine at the Paris Olympics led to her being ridiculed and spawned conspiracy theories about how she qualified for the Games.
Sleepy during the day? You may be at higher risk for a pre-dementia syndrome, study finds
If you find yourself sleepy during your daily activities in your older age, you may need to consider it more than an inconvenience — since the fatigue may indicate you’re at higher risk for developing a condition that can lead to dementia, a new study has found.
Kamala Harris made a historic dash for the White House. Here's why she fell short.
"Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn't mean we won't win," U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris said on Wednesday in her concession speech.
Who won the popular vote? U.S. election vote totals from the past 40 years
Donald Trump won the U.S. presidency on Tuesday, and as of Wednesday morning, was also ahead in the popular vote. Historically, though, the candidate with the most votes hasn’t always won the contest.