COVID-19 Vaccines – Updated Recommendations
On September 12th, Health Canada completed its review and approval of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine that targets the most recent strain of the COVID -19 virus, XBB-1.5. This vaccine was approved for people 6 months of age and older. Of note with this approval is a slight deviation from previous guidance related to COVID-19 vaccines. With previous vaccines targeting specific strains of the COVID-19 virus, it was still required to complete the original 2 dose regimen to receive the targeted booster. Now, the recommendation is for one dose regardless of past vaccination history in individuals 5 years of age and older. For children between the age of 6 months and 5 years, two doses remains the recommendation unless they have received a previous COVID-19 vaccine. Although not outlined in the guidance change, this is likely due to the prevalent spread of COVID-19 among school aged children which has allowed for a level of immunity to be developed.
Similar to recommendations and guidance for the Flu vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended to everyone who is eligible to receive it, if it has been greater than 6 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine or greater than 6 months since being infected with COVID-19.
In addition to the Moderna vaccine, Health Canada is actively reviewing for approval the Pfizer and Novavax vaccines targeted to XBB-1.5.
The full release from Health Canada can be found here.
Risks Associated with COVID-19 Vaccines
Ontario continues to track and publish data on adverse events following immunizations. Below is a table specific to the COVID-19 vaccine. We continue to see low reported risk associated with the COVID-19 vaccines when compared to the risk associated with acquiring COVID-19 infection. The full report can be found here.
Conclusion
As we enter the respiratory illness season, it is important that we all continue to self monitor for symptoms of respiratory illness and not reporting to work when we are ill. Doing so will help us to mitigate the risk of infection for the people we support. The people we support remain some of the most vulnerable to negative outcomes from respiratory illness, such as COVID-19, the flu and RSV. Immunizations to not only COVID-19 but also the Flu are some of the best ways we can protect ourselves, while also decreasing the overall risk of passing an illness on to someone else.