British Columbia has announced fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for the elderly over 70, long-term carers and indigenous people aged 55 and over, with the province just days away from lifting the latest health restrictions from the pandemic.
In addition, those considered clinically extremely vulnerable are already entitled to an additional booster dose.
The new booster program targets the highest risk groups, who now come six months after their first booster injection (third dose) and who may experience declining protection, especially from the Omicron variant.
This is a really important measure for us, “said Dr. Bonnie Henry.” We know that the older we get, the earlier [COVID-19] the antibodies will decrease. “
“An additional booster dose at the moment will provide a rapid increase in antibodies … and will provide this spring protection when we return to normal activities in the community.
The announcement is in line with guidelines from the National Immunization Advisory Committee of Canada (NACI), which on Tuesday recommended the “rapid deployment” of a second booster vaccine against COVID-19 for those aged 80 and over.
Henry said the tests showed a higher percentage of antibodies in younger people, both from vaccination and / or from people infected with COVID-19, but much lower levels in those over 70 years of age.
She said a fourth dose is currently not recommended for the rest of the population.
“We may need an annual booster, maybe it will be for those at greatest risk. These are the things we will look at in the fall, “she said.
Fourth-dose vaccination programs have already begun in some long-term care homes and invitations will soon be sent to those who qualify.
Terry Lake, executive director of the BC Care Providers Association, said the fourth dose was “very welcome news.”
“We were really worried that there would be an open window where immunity would start to fall and we would see the virus start ravaging nursing homes again,” he told All Points West presenter Robin Burns.
He said most nursing homes have the resources to release the fourth dose, but will still need support from health authorities to help everyone get vaccinated.
The BC Vax Card program ends
The news comes when BC is ready to end the BC Vaccine Card program effective Friday at 12:01 p.m. PT, and businesses can move from the COVID-19 safety plan to the less burdensome infectious disease plan. The requirement for a vaccine for post-secondary students is also being removed.
(Province of BC)
According to data published by the province, unvaccinated people continue to account for the largest share of deaths, patients in critical care and COVID-19-related hospitalizations.
Those who did not receive a full set of COVID-19 vaccinations – usually two full doses and a booster – were at much higher risk than those who did.
According to the latest number, 59% of adult BC aged 18 and over received a booster or third dose, while 91% received two doses. Only 56% of eligible children aged 5 to 11 received their first dose.
Audience members arrive for a performance at the Queen Elizabeth Theater in Vancouver on March 24. (Ben Nelms / CBC)
The highly contagious version of Omicron BA2 now accounts for 70-75% of all new infections, according to Henry, and is responsible for the recent increase in cases.
“Global data shows that it is more contagious, but does not cause more serious disease,” she said. “Here in British Columbia, people who have had a booster by the age of 70 have very strong protection against serious illness.”
Henry said the province is collecting data on the vaccination status of health professionals, which will be reported publicly so that people can make informed decisions about the private practitioners from whom they receive care.
Coronavirus hospitalizations rose over the weekend by nearly 50 more people in hospital than on Friday. Information about new deaths has been postponed and the province says those numbers will not be available until Thursday.
Last week, independent COVID-19 modeling experts told CBC it was too early to say BC was in the sixth wave of growing cases, but urged residents to be cautious as cases began to rise.
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