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By Michael Reeve

FALL BOOSTER

Fall COVID-19 booster campaign to begin in September

Jul 8, 2022 | 4:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — On Monday (July 4), B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said the province was preparing for a possible third wave of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which could hit this fall. As a result he mentioned that the province was looking into second booster doses for more British Columbians.

Up until now, B.C. has been offering second booster shots for people 70 years and older and Indigenous people 55 years and older. That is set to change with what is being called the fall booster campaign. An opportunity for all British Columbians 12 years of age and older to receive a second booster dose against COVID-19 come September.

“The big message is, the recommendation is, the best thing to do is wait for the fall. That is what NACI (National Advisory Committee on Immunization) has recommended. This is when we are most exposed to respiratory illness; we are moving indoors through the fall and winter. Our risk is highest, and you want to get your booster when the risk is highest,” said Dr. Penny Ballem, Executive Lead for B.C. Immunization Plan.

There are more than 1-million people in the province who are eligible for their first booster shots but have not received it. That group is advised to receive their third shot as soon as possible.

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“The virus continues to circulate, so we want to be clear — the pandemic isn’t over, unfortunately. We are seeing the number of cases and number of people ending up in hospital go up and down. And we will continue to see that and expect it,” said Dr. Martin Lavoie, Acting Provincial Health Officer.

Another reason for wanting the public to wait before the second booster is because new Omicron-targeting vaccines are in production from both Pfizer and Moderna and should be approved by September.

“We had alpha, the beta, the delta, and many others. And it has evolved and our vaccines need to evolve as well. As the virus moves farther away from the vaccine that we have known, we need to have a vaccine that is closer related to what circulates to be effective,” added Lavoie.

Anybody who feels they require the second booster before the spring due to health challenges or risk, but doesn’t meet the current age criteria, can reach out about getting the vaccine this summer.

“NACI has strongly recommended that the fall is the best time to get your next shot. That is to give us the best protection against respiratory season,” reiterated Ballem.

Invites for the fall vaccination campaign follow the same procedure as previous doses and will be provided to the highest risk populations first.