New Brunswick plans to expand COVID-19 booster shot eligibility
As Ontario, Alberta and the United States lower the age eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots, New Brunswick is planning to do the same. The province says how low the age will drop depends on supply.
“As soon as we hear from the federal government that our other shipment is on the way, we’re going to be good to go,” said Dorothy Shephard, minister of health.
On Wednesday, Ontario announced plans for boosters for anyone aged 50 and up. In Alberta, every adult will soon be eligible – beginning with the oldest.
New Brunswick’s current criteria means people 65 and up, along with high-risk groups, like those living in long-term care, health-care workers and First Nations communities, can get a booster. People who have received one or two doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, as well as school personnel, are also eligible.
Nova Scotia’s criteria for boosters mirrors NACI’s recommendations - which includes boosters for high risk groups like seniors 70 and up, health-care workers and those 30 and up who are members of First Nations and African Nova Scotia communities.
In all cases, people must wait six months after their second dose to get a booster.
When asked whether NACI will widen its criteria, Health Canada said NACI is actively reviewing available evidence from Canada and other countries, and will be providing updated advice on booster doses.
“NACI considers variants of concern throughout their deliberations, and this will be a consideration for their booster program advice,” a spokesperson with Health Canada said on Thursday.
“Should every single person get a booster dose just because we’re going into a Delta dominant respiratory season and it’s been six months? I don’t think that data is there,” said Dr. Lisa Barrett, infectious disease specialist.
The emerging Omicron variant has created questions but so far, few answers.
“This is totally separate than wanting something that protects us from Omicron because we don’t actually have that data yet,” Barrett said.
Arthur Schafer teaches Ethics at the University of Manitoba. He believes provinces should provide boosters if it means protecting health-care systems.
“But we should insist that the intellectual property laws be changed so that South Africa and other countries can manufacture the vaccines without having to pay fortunes of money,” Schafer said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.