Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said everyone five and over is encouraged to get a fall booster six months after their last shot. For those who developed COVID-19 after their last shot, the recommended interval is three months after infection. “We’re not yet at a point where we can let our guard down,” he said. Last month, Health Canada approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna to target the highly contagious Omicron variant. The vaccine is a combination — or bivalent vaccine — containing a mixture of spike protein elements from both the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Omicron variant, BA.1. Henry said the vaccine offers protection against all sub-variants of Omicron, including BA.4 and BA.5, which are currently the dominant ones in circulation. Calls to reserve a booster vaccine will begin later this week, with the first wave targeting healthcare workers and high-risk groups, including those with compromised immunity or chronic illness, indigenous peoples, people in communal living conditions and people aged 60 and over.
Protection for the new school year
Dr. Penny Ballem, BC’s COVID-19 immunization plan lead, said it’s especially important for people to keep their vaccines up-to-date as the province enters a new school year. “Kids … get into an environment where they want to be involved in a lot of activities and not be home sick,” she said. WATCHES | Dr. Penny Ballem encourages young people to get vaccinated
BC announces fall plans for COVID-19 boosters
The BC government has released new vaccine guidelines for its fall immunization schedule. Ballem noted that about 58 percent of children ages five to 11 have received one dose of the vaccine so far, and just under 50 percent have received the second dose. “We really want to encourage them [get boosted] and benefit from this campaign,” he said.
Variety of vaccines available
The Moderna bivalent vaccine will be the default booster offered, although other varieties, including Pfizer, Janssen and Novavax, will also be available upon special request. Starting in October, the province will begin offering a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu shot at the same time. Health officials expect an increase in coronavirus and flu in November-December. BC’s fall COVID-19 booster program begins next week. (Matt Rourke/The Associated Press) Henry said the flu season is expected to be bad, as seen recently in the Australian and New Zealand winter, in part because so little flu has been released due to the COVID-19 public health measures of the past two years. He encouraged people to take personal responsibility to protect themselves and others by staying home when sick, wearing a mask in group settings, washing hands and staying current on vaccinations. He said he does not expect to reinstate the sweeping public health restrictions of the past two years. “The tools that were used when we had no immunity and needed drastic measures are no longer effective and are no longer needed in most cases,” Henry said. “We can trust the people in our community to do these things, so we don’t need the heavy hand of restrictions, in my opinion.” At its peak, BC’s fall booster program is expected to reach 280,000 people a week, with pharmacies and public health clinics distributing most of the vaccine. Henry advised that anyone already eligible for a COVID-19 booster should get it as soon as it is offered and not wait until the flu vaccine is available. About 110,000 doses of Moderna’s bivalent vaccine are expected to arrive in BC this week, with larger shipments arriving in the coming weeks. Henry said she expects more people will get a fall boost than the 69 percent of eligible people who chose to get the spring boost. To receive a reminder or flu shot invitation, you must be registered with Get Vaccinated BC, available online or through the provincial call center at 1-833-838-2323.
