The info so far on autumn COVID-19 shots, from sea to sea to sea

With the Health Canada approval of both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech updated COVID-19 vaccine, when can Canadians get the new shot? In most provinces and territories, the general public start booking appointments on October 10, although some jurisdictions have yet to announce any timelines. The mRNA vaccines target the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant and they’re expected to offer better protection against newer variants of SARS-CoV-2 than previous vaccines, National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) said in a Sept. 12 statement. Right now, Omicron XBB.1.9.2 is circulating in Canada, with a subset called EG.5 increasing. The new vaccines are approved for people six months and older. One dose is needed for people five years old or older, regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination history. For children aged 6 months to four years, the dosage is different for the two approved vaccines. For the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5). three doses are needed in children aged six months to four years who have not had their primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine. For the Moderna vaccine (SpikeVax XBB 1.5), children six months to four years should get two doses if they haven’t previously received any COVID-19 vaccines. NACI is recommending a dose of the new COVID-19 vaccines for people six months and older if it has been six months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or six months from a known COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Here’s what’s happening across the country: British Columbia In October, people aged six months and older can get both an influenza and COVID-19 vaccine, delivered at the same time. Anyone who has previously had a COVID-19 vaccine in B.C. will be sent an email and text with a link to book an appointment. Invitations to book an appointment will be rolled out starting with people at high risk for infection or severe disease, including healthcare workers. People who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine in B.C. have to register for the province’s Get Vaccinated system. Alberta People living in congregate settings will get their “respiratory virus vaccinations” (new COVID-19 and influenza vaccines) starting Oct. 2, according to a Sept. 28 news release from the government of Alberta. On Oct. 10, people can make appointments for vaccinations, with appointments starting on Oct. 16. Albertans can book vaccination appointments through the province’s booking system, or by directly contacting community health clinics or calling 811. Adriana LaGrange, Alberta’s minister of health, announced on Sept. 28 that the province will be launching a dashboard of respiratory illness cases, including COVID-19, RSV and influenza. Saskatchewan Although the government of Saskatchewan has prepared fact sheets on the new XBB.1.5 vaccines, it has not yet released information about the new vaccine rollout. The province tracks cases through the community respiratory illness surveillance program (CRISP). Their reports are released twice a month. Manitoba First doses of the new COVID-19 vaccines will go to immunize higher-risk populations, including healthcare workers, a Sept. 19 press release from the government of Manitoba said. It estimates that vaccines for the wider population will be available in early to mid-October at pharmacies, medical clinics, public health offices and immunisations clinics. Locations of vaccination sites will be posted on the government website. Ontario Influenza vaccines will be available for the general public on Oct. 30 at primary care offices, public health units and participating pharmacies. The province has yet to provide dates for the roll-out of the new COVID-19 vaccines. Quebec Those living in long-term care homes will get their influenza and new COVID-19 vaccines starting on Oct. 2. The vaccines will be available to the general public as of Oct. 10, according to Quebec’s appointment-booking portal Clic Santé. People will be able to get the influenza vaccine and the new COVID-19 vaccine in the same appointment. Pharmacies will have high-dose flu vaccines (for people over 75 years old with a chronic condition) and FluMistMC (for children aged two to 17 who prefer not to have an injection) available this year, according to Association des bannières et des chaînes de pharmacies du Québec (ABCPQ). Previously, people needing those vaccines had to go to a vaccination centre. New Brunswick Details on when people in New Brunswick can get the influenza and new COVID-19 vaccines have not yet been announced. Previously, vaccination appointments could be booked through the provincial scheduler website, through public health offices or through local pharmacies. Nova Scotia Nova Scotia has yet to announce when the new COVID-19 vaccines and the influenza vaccines will be available. Vaccination appointments are booked through the province’s booking system. COVID-19 testing remains available to Nova Scotians thought free take-home rapid tests and testing in public health mobile units. Prince Edward Island Islanders can expect appointments for the new COVID-19 vaccines in October. The province is recommendingthat everyone aged six months or older should get a dose of the updated vaccine this fall (if it has been six months since their last COVID-19 vaccine or infection). Appointments will be available through public health clinics and pharmacies. Newfoundland and Labrador Appointments to receive the new COVID-19 vaccines and the influenza vaccine will be available starting Oct. 10. Appointments can be made through the province’s online booking system, at pharmacies and in some primary care and public health clinics. Nunavut The territory’s department of health put out a public service announcement warning about a rise in respiratory infections in the fall, but it provided no dates for when influenza or new COVID-19 vaccines would be available. Northwest Territories The Northwest Territories government has yet to release details about its fall vaccination campaign. The territory is still helping the roughly 70% of its residents who were evacuated from their communities due to wildfires this summer. Yukon Yukon has not yet given details on the roll-out of the new COVID-19 vaccines. Yukon provides a respiratory disease surveillance report every two weeks. Appointments for COVID-19 vaccines were booked through the territorial website.

The info so far on autumn COVID-19 shots, from sea to sea to sea

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