Key Takeaways:
- NACI suggested earlier this week that Canada should brace itself for the “rapid deployment” of a second COVID-19 booster program in the coming weeks.
- The government has now “strongly advised” a second booster dose for adults aged 70 and up, as well as long-term care patients.
New Brunswick is preparing to administer the second round of booster shots to residents aged 50 and up.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) suggested earlier this week that Canada should prepare for “rapid deployment” of a second COVID-19 booster program in the coming weeks, with adults aged 80 and up and residents of long-term care or other communal settings receiving priority.
The advisory council also suggested that a second booster dose be given 6 months following the first booster dose.
In a Friday news release, Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health, stated that expanding booster dose eligibility “will give an extra layer of protection towards the Omicron and BA.2 strains.”
A second booster dose is now “highly recommended” by the province for people aged 70 and up and long-term care residents.
Also read: The government of New Brunswick invests about $1.5 million in a nursing programme
On April 19, the second booster dose will be available.
Those aged 50 and older are also eligible, as long as it has been five months since their last vaccine dosage.
According to the government, individuals from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities and their non-Indigenous household members, who are 18 or elder, are also eligible.
The province advised that “anyone who has recently been infected with COVID-19 should wait three months before receiving a booster dosage.”
According to Russell, vaccination is “the critical piece in a tiered approach to protecting oneself against COVID-19,” according to Russell in the press release.
“It’s critical to stay at home while you’re sick, get tested if you have symptoms, limit your number of close contacts, and maintain proper hand hygiene.”
According to New Brunswick, public health second booster dosages for people under 50 will be evaluated further.
Paxlovid is also being made more accessible to COVID-19 sufferers by the province.
COVID-19 patients at high risk of serious illness from the virus can now request an assessment for a prescription for Paxlovid starting next Monday.
In the announcement, Russel stated, “Now we have the means to minimize the severity of the infection in high-risk patients.”
The antiviral treatment will be free of charge.
Source: Global News
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