Fourth Doses Of The COVID-19 Vaccine For Seniors Over 70

B.C. has announced fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for seniors over 70, long-term care residents and Indigenous people aged 55 and older, with the province just days away from removing the last of its pandemic health restrictions. 

B.C. has announced fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for seniors over 70, long-term care residents and Indigenous people aged 55 and older, with the province just days away from removing the last of its pandemic health restrictions. 

As well, those who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable are now eligible for an additional booster dose.

Dr. Bonnie Henry announced today that the new booster program is aimed at the highest risk groups who are now coming on six months since their first booster shot and who may be experiencing waning protection, especially from the Omicron variant. 

The announcement is in keeping with the guidance of Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization, which Tuesday recommended the "rapid deployment" of a second COVID-19 booster shot for those 80 and older. 

Henry said testing shows a high rate of antibodies in younger people, from both vaccination and/or having contracted COVID-19, but much lower levels in those over age 70.

She said at this time, a fourth dose is not being recommended for the remainder of the population. 

The news comes as B.C. gets set to end the B.C. Vaccine Card program effective Friday at 12:01 a.m., with businesses able to transition from the COVID-19 safety plan to the less onerous communicable disease plan. The vaccine requirement for post-secondary school residents is also being lifted. 

According to data released by the province, unvaccinated people continue to account for the largest share of deaths, critical care patients and hospitalizations related to COVID-19.

The highly contagious Omicron BA2 variant now accounts for 70-75 per cent of all new infections, according to Henry,  and is responsible for a recent uptick in cases.