Public health officials are warning that there is a surge in COVID-19 infections just as the fall and winter respiratory virus season approaches, bringing with it the respiratory syncytial virus and influenza. To combat this, Health Canada has authorized an updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna, which targets the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant that is currently circulating. The federal government is distributing the new vaccine to the provinces and territories, who will be responsible for administering it to the public. Dr. Jeffrey Pernica, head of infectious disease at McMaster University, believes that the timing is opportune as the incidence of COVID-19 is beginning to rise again. However, many Canadians are hesitant to receive additional COVID-19 vaccines, with only 22% of people over the age of 5 having received the bivalent booster dose that protects against the Omicron variant and the original coronavirus strain. Doctors and scientists offer some compelling reasons why Canadians should consider getting vaccinated again.
Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Available in Canada
Canada currently has access to Moderna’s updated Spikevax mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, which is approved for individuals aged six months and older. Additionally, Health Canada is reviewing two other updated COVID-19 vaccines. One is Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty vaccine, which has already been approved by the FDA for targeting XBB.1.5. The other option is Novavax’s protein subunit vaccine, which is still awaiting FDA approval.
How the New Vaccine Works
These updated vaccines target the specific coronavirus subvariants currently in circulation, which differ significantly from the original strain. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan, explains that the previous bivalent boosters covered the original strain as well as subvariants BA.1 and BA.5 of the Omicron variant. However, the XBB subvariants, which are prevalent in Canada, are derived from Omicron BA.2 and were not covered by the previous bivalent booster. Thus, it is recommended to receive the new XBB.1.5-targeted vaccine even if you have already received the previous booster. The updated vaccine provides temporary protection against infection and longer-lasting protection against severe disease.
Obtaining Vaccination Even After Previous Infection
While individuals may have some level of immunity from a previous infection combined with vaccination, immunity decreases over time. Therefore, if it has been six months or longer since the last infection or booster, it is advisable to receive the updated vaccine to bolster protection for the fall and winter. Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, suggests that people aim to bring their protection up to date by receiving the updated vaccine.
Coexisting with Other Respiratory Viruses
In addition to the COVID-19 vaccine, flu shots will also be available across Canada. Like the updated COVID-19 vaccine, the flu vaccine is designed to match the anticipated viral strains in circulation. While vaccination does not guarantee complete immunity against the flu, it significantly reduces the risk of severe illness. Both the flu shot and the COVID-19 booster can be received simultaneously without affecting their effectiveness. Health officials hope that making it more convenient to receive both vaccines will increase uptake.
Timing and Target Audiences
The timing for when the shots will be available varies by province and territory, but most regions aim to make both the flu shot and the updated COVID-19 vaccine available in October. High-risk populations, particularly seniors in long-term care and retirement homes, are being prioritized for vaccination in provinces like Ontario, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. Doctors and scientists stress the importance of vaccinating vulnerable populations to minimize the impact of respiratory viruses this fall and winter.
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