Also, those who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable are now eligible for an additional booster dose. The new booster program is aimed at the highest risk groups who are now six months away from their first booster dose (third installment) and who may be experiencing reduced protection, especially from the Omicron variant. “This is a really important step for us,” said Dr Bonnie Henry. “We know that the older we get, the faster [COVID-19] the antibodies will weaken. “ “An extra boost at this time will provide a rapid increase in antibodies … and provide this spring protection as we return to normal community activities.” The announcement is in line with the guidelines of the National Immunization Advisory Committee (NACI) of Canada, which on Tuesday recommended the “rapid development” of a second COVID-19 booster shot for people aged 80 and over. Henry said the tests showed a high rate of antibodies in younger people, both vaccinated and / or infected with COVID-19, but much lower levels in people over the age of 70. He said that at the moment, a fourth dose is not recommended for the rest of the population. “We may need an annual booster, maybe for those at greater risk. These are the things we will look at in the fall,” he said. Fourth-line vaccination programs have already started in some long-term care homes and invitations for those who are eligible will be sent shortly. BC Care Providers Association CEO Terry Lake said the fourth installment was “very welcome news”. “We were really worried that there would be an open window where immunity would start to fall and we would see the virus start destroying nursing homes again,” Robyn Burns told All Points West host. He said most care homes have the resources to provide the fourth dose, but will still need support from health authorities to help get everyone vaccinated.

End of BC Vax Card program

The news comes as BC prepares to end the BC Vaccine Card program that takes effect on Friday at 12:01 p.m. PT, with companies being able to move from the COVID-19 security plan to the less burdensome communicable disease plan. The requirement for vaccination for secondary education residents is also lifted. (Province BC)
According to data released by the province, unvaccinated people continue to be responsible for the highest rate of deaths, intensive care patients and COVID-19-related illnesses. Those who have not received a full COVID-19 vaccine supplement – usually two full doses and a booster – are at a much higher risk than those who have. According to the most recent number, 59 percent of adults BC. 18 years and older have taken a booster or third dose, while 91 percent have taken two doses. Only 56 percent of eligible children aged five to 11 have received their first dose. Audience members arrive for a performance at the Queen Elizabeth Theater in Vancouver on March 24. (Ben Nelms / CBC)
The highly contagious Omicron BA2 variant now accounts for 70-75 percent of all new infections, according to Henry, and is responsible for a recent increase in cases. “We see from global data that it is more contagious but does not cause more serious illness,” he said. “Here in BC, people who have received booster treatment by the age of 70 have very strong protection against serious illness.” Henry said the county is collecting data on the vaccination status of health professionals, which will be made public so that individuals can make informed decisions about the private doctors they care for. Coronavirus hospitalizations rose over the weekend, with nearly 50 more people hospitalized than on Friday. Reports of new deaths have been delayed and the province says those numbers will not be available until Thursday. Last week, independent COVID-19 modelers told the CBC that it was too early to say that BC was in a sixth wave of rising cases, but urged residents to be careful as cases began to rise.