Starting October 1, immunizers will begin providing booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine to residents of long-term care facilities. The booster dose is being offered at the recommended interval of at least six months after the first series has been completed.
On September 28, the Public Health Agency of Canada released updated advice from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommending a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine for residents of long-term care homes and seniors living in other congregate settings who have already received their first two shots.
This immunization push will take place from October 1 to October 8. In order to facilitate this rapid response, staff will be redeployed from the clinic located at the Convention Centre in Whitehorse to long-term care homes in the Yukon. The clinic will be closed and reopen on October 12.
In anticipation of this recommendation from National Advisory Committee on Immunization, we began preparing plans weeks ago to quickly administer booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine to all of our long-term care residents. It is critical that long-term care residents and seniors living in other congregate settings have access to the best protection against COVID-19. Our government is taking the steps needed to prevent cases and outbreaks in long-term care. It is also very important that healthcare workers, staff, volunteers, visitors and other close contacts of long-term care residents be fully vaccinated to protect residents from infection and from the consequences of COVID-19 outbreaks in these settings.
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee
By providing this booster dose to residents in long term care homes and seniors in other congregate living settings we are able to provide the best vaccine protection available to those most vulnerable to the severe outcomes of COVID-19. I have been closely watching the situation in these settings across Canada, reviewing the evidence as it is released and awaiting NACI recommendations while working closely with the vaccine program. I am pleased it is launching so quickly on the heels of the NACI recommendation. This booster is an important part of the vaccine protection for Yukoners.
Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Catherine Elliott
Residents in the Yukon’s four long-term care homes will receive a booster dose of Moderna vaccine.
Appointments for COVID-19 booster doses can be made online at yukon.ca or by calling 1-877-374-0425 for people who don’t have access to a computer.
For the general public, COVID-19 vaccines continue to demonstrate effectiveness in Canada. NACI is monitoring the evidence and will update recommendations for a booster doses for the general population if and when required.
Renee Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Patricia Living
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-335-1531
patricia.living@yukon.ca