Provinces and regions should prepare quickly to offer fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the coming weeks, starting with people over the age of 80 and long-term caregivers, the National Advisory Committee on Tuesday recommended. NACI has recommended that a second souvenir be offered to people between the ages of 70 and 79 and to people from the First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities. “Preliminary data show that a second booster dose provides additional protection, including for serious illness,” the commission said Tuesday. Generally, a second booster dose should be given 6 months after patients receive their first booster shots, NACI says, although this optimal timeline should be weighed against how uncontrollable COVID-19 is locally. The committee also suggests taking into account a recent COVID-19 infection, as boosters are best offered at least three months after the onset of symptoms or a positive test. NACI’s latest advice also states that a second booster seems to be just as safe as previous doses and is well tolerated. The committee is still considering whether a second souvenir shot is needed for younger adults and teens. The second booster, or fourth installment, is not approved by Health Canada, but may still be offered on an “off-label” basis. The recommendations were made in the light of the possibility of reducing the effectiveness of booster doses against severe disease. Several provinces have already offered a second boost to higher risk groups with plans to soon extend their eligibility. About 90 percent of Canadians over the age of 18 are considered fully vaccinated in Canada by March 27, which for most Canadians means two doses of the vaccines approved by Health Canada. NACI recommended a third vaccine for adults in December, but people were slow to receive their boosters for the first and second doses. Only 57 percent of people over the age of 18 have received a booster dose, according to data from the Public Health Service of Canada. Elderly people at higher risk for serious outcomes associated with the virus are more susceptible to the idea of additional vaccines, with more than 84 percent of older people over 70 receiving a third dose and 68 percent of people aged 50 to 69 years. The Council of Chief Health Officials urged Canadians on Tuesday to follow the advice on supplements. “Vaccine information for COVID-19 provides you with strong protection against serious illness and hospitalization and helps reduce the overall impact and severity of the population,” the council said in a statement. The new NACI recommendations come at a time when indications are that Canada may already be heading for another wave of pandemics. Health officials say vaccines are the best line of defense against increasing hospitalization. “Vaccination remains the most important tool to protect ourselves and our communities from the effects of future COVID-19 waves,” they said. Sign up for Coronavirus newsletter to read the basics of the day about coronavirus, features and explanations written by Globe reporters and editors.
