Health professional expects another COVID-19 vaccine dose available in fall
The New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association says about 9,400 doses of COVID-19 vaccines were given at pharmacies in the province last week, and around one third were second booster shots.
"We do have a lot of patients coming in," says Alistair Bursey, pharmacy owner and pharmacist, "I would say we’re probably doing on our big clinic days close to a hundred people, and that’s once a week …throughout the week, I’d say about 20 to 25 patients a day."
It has been about two weeks since New Brunswick expanded eligibility for boosters – allowing residents over the age of 50, as long as it has been at least five months since their last dose.
It’s also been said that anyone who has been recently infected with the virus should wait three months before getting their fourth shot.
"I think the way it was staggered, there’s a lot of patients we vaccinated at the end of December, and also in January," says Bursey, "so that means we’re going to have a lot in May I suspect."
As for why it’s important to get it when possible, one infectious disease specialist describes the fourth dose as a 'stop-gap' with the BA. 2 variant.
"Because of the two conflicting problems, an increase in variants and a decrease in antibodies, that is why we need to have this second booster now," says Dr. Donald Vinh.
He also says another dose could be needed around the fall as it’s expected another variant may emerge.
"That dose that we’re going to get in the fall, is not likely going to be the same dose that we’ve been using for the last year and a half, two years," says Dr. Vinh.
"The current vaccines that are in development are actually much more promising because they don’t contain just the original strain – they contain combinations, combinations of variants."
Dr. Vinh describes it as more of a 'cocktail' which could mean an antibody response that doesn’t decline as quickly as previous vaccines.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriend’s two children in jury decision
Jurors resumed deliberations Saturday on whether a man should be sentenced to death after being convicted days earlier of the murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children in Idaho.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
China lands spacecraft on the moon amid growing space rivalry with U.S.
A Chinese spacecraft landed on the far side of the moon Sunday to collect soil and rock samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side.
Pedestrian dies after being hit by train in Brockville, Ont.
Brockville Police says a pedestrian has died following a collision with a train that was heading to Toronto.