As the seventh wave of COVID-19 begins to sweep across Canada, with the transmission of the Omicron BA.5 subvariant, some provinces are expanding eligibility for a fourth dose of the vaccine.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) released its fall booster guidelines late last month. The commission recommended that those at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 be offered the vaccine in the fall, adding that anyone between the ages of 12 and 64 could 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 had not yet received their third dose, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
“I would really redouble those efforts in terms of getting fourth doses in the most vulnerable and third doses in a lot of people who are still eligible but haven’t gotten them yet,” said infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch .
While most provinces already offer a fourth shot (or, for the general population, a second booster) to their most vulnerable residents, some — like Quebec and Prince Edward Island — have greatly expanded eligibility.
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Infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch explains who benefits most from a fourth dose of COVID-19, but also highlights the need for many people to simply get a third shot.
“Those who would benefit most from a fourth dose are people at the older end of the spectrum and people with underlying medical conditions that put them at greater risk of severe infection,” Bogoch said, speaking specifically about the guidelines for eligibility in July 2022.
“That’s what the data shows,” he said. “So even if it’s open, just remember that this is the person who will benefit the most from a fourth dose.”
CBC News has compiled eligibility guidelines from each province and territory.
North and West Coast
Agnes Mills, who is 85 years old, was the first person in the Yukon to receive a vaccine against COVID-19. Last week, the Yukon government expanded eligibility for a fourth vaccine for Yukoners aged 18 and over. (Mark Kelly Photography/Government of Yukon)
Last week, the Yukon Govt extended eligibility for a fourth strike.
All people aged 18 and over can now book a fourth shot if it has been six months since their third shot. Appointment begins July 13. For those who have recently had COVID-19, a fourth injection (or second booster dose) is not recommended before three months have passed.
In the Northwest Territories, all people aged 50 and over and all immunocompromised people aged 12 and over are eligible to receive a fourth dose. In accordance with NACI guidelines, the territory recommends that people wait at least six months after the third dose before booking another injection.
Nunavut residents aged 18 and over are eligible for a fourth dose if it has been four and a half months since their last dose. Some jurisdictions prioritize certain age groups.
In British Columbia, everyone age 12 and older is encouraged to get a booster shot this fall if it’s been six months since the last dose.
The groups currently eligible for a fourth dose are those aged over 70; people in long-term care or awaiting placement in long-term care; Indigenous people aged 55 and over; and all people with weakened immunity.
The prairies
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 Koshik/CBC)
In Alberta, those 70 and older are eligible for a fourth dose; First Nations, Métis and Inuit aged 65 and over; and all older people living in shared care, regardless of age.
According to latest data available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, 38 percent of the Alberta population received a third dose.
In Saskatchewan, all people age 50 and older are eligible for a fourth dose if it has been at least four months since their last injection.
Eligible groups for the fourth dose of the vaccine in Manitoba are persons aged 50 years and older; First Nations, Inuit and Métis aged 30 and over; residents of personal care homes and elderly people living in groups; and persons with moderate to severe immunodeficiency aged 18 to 49 years.
Central Canada
The Vaccibus Mobile Clinic of Gatineau, Que. stops at the Université du Québec en Outaouais during the first week of September 2021. Quebec has extended eligibility for a fourth dose of the vaccine to all residents age 18 and older. (Hugo Belanger/Radio-Canada)
In Ontario, people 60 and older can get their fourth dose, as can Inuit, Métis and First Nations people 18 and older. The province’s chief medical officer of health will provide an access update on Wednesday morning. Quebec and Ontario officially entered the seventh wave of the pandemic last week, with the Omicron BA.5 subvariant dominating both provinces.
Meanwhile, Quebec has expanded eligibility to all residents aged 18 and over, although a provincial spokesperson confirmed to CBC News that the province prioritizes people 60 and over, anyone with co-existing medical conditions and anyone at higher risk of complications from COVID -19.
Atlantic Canada
The Halifax Convention Center clinic is shown in this photo. Current Nova Scotia guidelines allow fourth doses for people aged 50 and over if 168 days have passed since their last dose. (Robert Short/CBC)
Prince Edward Island’s chief public health officer announced last week that the province has expanded requirements for a fourth vaccine for every resident age 12 and older as the number of positive cases of COVID-19 rises among islanders.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, those eligible for a fourth dose of the vaccine are people 70 and older; all persons living in a setting for the elderly; and Indigenous people or individuals living in a remote or isolated local community aged 18 and over.
Starting Tuesday, all New Brunswickers age 18 and older are eligible for a fourth dose of the vaccine if it’s been five months since their last shot. Chief Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Russell announced the decision as hospitalizations rise across the province.
Current Nova Scotia guidelines allow fourth doses for people aged 50 and over if 168 days have passed since their last dose.
For all residents of long-term care facilities and the elderly; members of First Nations communities who are 55 years of age and older; and immunocompromised people aged 50 and over, the recommended interval between doses is 120 days.
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A book here for mRNA vaccine (Moderna, Pfizer). A book here for non-mRNA vaccine (Janssen, Novavax). mRNA vaccines are recommended for most people in Canada.
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