Advertisement

B.C. launches fall vaccination campaign with Omicron-specific boosters

Click to play video: 'B.C. launches COVID-19 boosters for the fall'
B.C. launches COVID-19 boosters for the fall
The fall roll-out of the latest COVID-19 vaccine is underway -- at clinics and pharmacies -- as of Monday. As Aaron McArthur tells us, if you've received a text to get a booster -- it's time to book that appointment – Sep 19, 2022

Some British Columbians have begun receiving text messages to book a booster shot, as the province’s fall COVID-19 vaccination campaign gets underway.

The campaign is launching with a focus on vulnerable groups, including health-care workers, the clinically extremely vulnerable, Indigenous people and seniors.

Click to play video: 'Fall booster campaign kicking into high gear in B.C.'
Fall booster campaign kicking into high gear in B.C.

And for the first time, a bivalent version of Moderna’s mRNA vaccine will be available to adults.

Story continues below advertisement

“It’s a vaccine that was specifically designed to be more effective against Omicron variants. It’s half and half — half the old vaccine, half the Omicron-specific vaccine,” explained Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Cenre.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“If you have issues with the mRNA vaccine, (the traditionally formulated) Novavax and Johnson and Johnson are also available if you make known this is your choice. There is no reason not to get vaccinated.”

Click to play video: 'Four COVID-19 court cases dismissed by B.C. Supreme Court'
Four COVID-19 court cases dismissed by B.C. Supreme Court

Youth aged 12 to 17 years old will be offered the original formulations of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, while children aged five to 11 years old will be offered the milder pediatric version of those vaccines.

Story continues below advertisement

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends people receive the bivalent booster at least six months after their last dose or COVID-19 infection. However, people at higher risk may need an earlier dose.

Adults will be eligible to book their bivalent booster once they receive a direct text message, but children and youth can book at any time. The province said it has already sent out 600,000 text notifications, and has 400,000 doses of the new vaccines in hand.

Pfizer’s version of a bivalent vaccine is expected to receive Health Canada approval later this fall, and B.C.’s health ministry says shipments could begin as soon as next week if the vaccine is green lit.

Starting in October, COVID shots will be co-administered with influenza vaccines.

With COVID now endemic in Canada, according to B.C.’s health minister, Conway said it is likely that fall booster shots — scheduled before respiratory illness season — will likely become an annual event.

“The long-term will be quite probably yearly COVID shots. This is the first of them,” he said.

“Much the same as your flu shot changes every year, taking into account the strains of influenza we expect to see in the upcoming winter.”

Advertisement

Sponsored content

AdChoices