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
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
Helicopter carrying Iran's president suffers a 'hard landing,' state TV says without further details
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi suffered a 'hard landing' on Sunday, Iranian state television reported, without immediately elaborating.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Robbers made off with 'several million euros' of jewels in armed heist at Harry Winston store in Paris
Armed robbers who used a motorbike as a battering ram made off with 'several million euros' worth of valuables in a heist of the luxury Paris boutique of self-declared 'Jeweler to the Stars' Harry Winston, the French prosecutor’s office overseeing the police probe said.
The secret Italian lakes that most tourists don't know about
Italy has dozens of secret smaller lakes that boast superb scenery, unknown to mass tourism, where locals get together on day trips and enjoy picnics.
What we've learned so far in the Trump hush money trial and what to watch for as it wraps up
Testimony in the hush money trial of Donald Trump is set to conclude in the coming days, putting the landmark case on track for jury deliberations that will determine whether it ends in a mistrial, an acquittal — or the first-ever felony conviction of a former American president.
Woman killed in Montreal's Saint-Michel district: ex-husband arrested
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide.
Serious boat crash kills 3, injures 5 on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake: OPP
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.