Spring COVID-19 vaccines available to some in N.B. on April 7
People at most risk for severe illness can book shot if it's been 3 months since last dose or infection
COVID-19 spring vaccines will be available April 7 for New Brunswickers at increased risk of severe illness from the virus, the Department of Health announced Monday.
This includes people aged 65 or older, adult residents of long-term care homes and other group-living settings for seniors, and people six months or older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised because of underlying conditions or treatment, a news release said.
Eligible New Brunswickers can begin booking appointments on March 28, either online, by calling 1-833-437-1424 or by contacting a participating pharmacy.
Public Health recommends those who are eligible wait at least three months after their last COVID-19 vaccine or infection, whichever is more recent.
The spring campaign will end on June 30 so it doesn't interfere with the fall COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the release said.
The dose for children under 12 will only be available until June 21. That's when the current supply expires and additional vaccines "will not be immediately available." Vaccination for this age group will resume in the fall.
Province now footing the bill
Ottawa has been paying for COVID-19 vaccines and distributing them across the country since they became available. But the Public Health Agency of Canada quietly announced in January that provinces and territories would have to purchase their own supply.
According to the agency, there is enough of the federally funded vaccines to last through the spring.
New Brunswick eligibility for the spring vaccine "aligns with updated guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization," which covers up to the summer of 2026, the Department of Health said.
National recommendations
The national advisory committee on immunization strongly recommended "at least one dose per year" for the three groups in question.
It also strongly recommended at least one dose per year for the following groups considered at increased risk of COVID exposure or severe disease:
- Individuals who are pregnant.
- Individuals in or from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
- Health-care workers and other care providers in facilities and community settings.
- Members of racialized and other equity-denied communities.
In addition, the national advisory committee said people who are not at increased risk "may receive" a dose.
Department of Health officials could not immediately be reached for comment about when or if these other groups will be eligible for a COVID vaccine.
"Vaccines against COVID-19 are very effective at preventing severe disease in the elderly and those who are at higher risk," Dr. Yves Léger, chief medical officer of health, said in a statement. "However, studies show that this protection does drop after many months, which is why getting a spring dose is important for those groups."
The national advisory committee recommends a second dose per year for those 80 or older, adult residents of long-term care homes and other group-living settings for seniors, and people six months or older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised because of underlying conditions or treatment.
The provincial government publishes statistics related to COVID, flu and RSV cases in its regular Respiratory Watch.