Despite increasing pressure to deploy the COVID19 vaccine booster more widely in Canada, epidemiologists are now in the general population because of the strong and lasting defenses already provided with two doses. There is no evidence that additional vaccination is urgently needed.
However, with the emergence of potentially more infectious variants of Omicron, upcoming holidays, and continuedly elevated COVID 19 levels in most of the country, Canada’s immunity declines before expanding booster eligibility. Should Canada wait for more evidence?
Or do we need to quickly provide more shots to control another potential surge, as the US, UK, and Israel did?
Some states and territories have already expanded access to boosters such as Manitoba, Northwest Territories, and Yukon, while others have taken a more cautious approach and certain vulnerable groups.
And only for healthcare professionals. However, the current case of introducing a third vaccination to most Canadians seems to be weak, while much of the world has not been vaccinated and new varieties continue to emerge. `
“Currently, there is no evidence that the protection of the general vaccinated Canadian population will decline significantly over time,” a spokesman for the National Advisory Board on Immunization (NACI) told CBC News.
“NACI will continue to actively review the evidence available from Canada and other countries and, if necessary, update its recommendations for booster immunization as a precautionary measure.”
According to new statistics from Public Health Ontario, just nine fully vaccinated adults under the age of 60 have been hospitalised to intensive care units since the vaccination rollout began.
Researchers at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) in Toronto discovered that eight months after their second dosage, the majority of fully vaccinated adults in Ontario were remained well protected against both infection and severe COVID-19.
According to ICES vaccination estimates, while protection against symptoms fell to slightly over 80% — and more than 70% when asymptomatic infections were included — hospitalization avoidance remained high at more than 90%.
Read More: Canada needs to make a tough call on boosters as a new variant emerges | CBC News
