NACI recommends fall COVID-19 booster shot in advance of possible future wave

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization is recommending booster shots this fall in advance of a possible future wave of COVID-19 in Canada.

In a release Wednesday, NACI says jurisdictions should plan to offer boosters to people who are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID regardless of the number of booster doses they previously received.

It says this should include people 65 years of age and older, residents of long-term care or living facilities, and individuals 12 years of age and older with an underlying medical condition that places them at high risk of severe COVID-19.

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The recommendation also includes adults in Indigenous, racialized and marginalized communities where infection can have disproportionate consequences, as well as quarters for migrant workers, shelters, correctional facilities and group homes.

NACI also recommends that boosters be offered to all other individuals from 12 to 64 years of age regardless of the number of booster doses they have previously received.

It says it will provide recommendations on the type of COVID-19 vaccine to be offered for this booster dose as evidence on appropriate vaccines becomes available.

Premier Doug Ford commented on the new NACI recommendations in a press conference Thursday, saying they would have an update soon.

“We were talking to Dr. Moore actually yesterday about that and he’s gonna move forward. We have all the confidence in Dr. Moore. I want to thank him for the great work he’s done through the pandemic,” said Ford. “And you’ll hear further about our rollout in the next little while.”