While Canadians raced to get vaccinated against COVID-19 early in the pandemic, only 15 per cent of the population had their updated shot this fall. But the virus is still spreading.
Is it? you’re probably talking 4th or 5th dose at this point. Are many countries really still doing comprehensive booster programmes for all ages?
In my country - for this flu season - the only under 65s who get a booster covid vaccination are those with specific health issues or care workers.
Even looking at a country like Germany that typically have much better health service, it looks like they’re limiting the additional annual boosters to mostly over 60s plus special cases at younger ages.
I’d be more worried abut the low uptake in the elderly groups - did they get no booster at all, or did they just not get the xbb 1.5 specifically?
I think there was a bit of a rush and supply chain issues in September with the new variant.
We’re at about 68% for over-65s this season as a point of comparison - so that looks way higher than canadian old people as reported in that article.
In much of Canada flu shots are provided for free annually. So ya it’s typical for us to have comprehensive booster programs for all ages.
I imagine regular COVID boosters will continue until COVID is integrated into the standard flu vaccine.
Don’t forget that COVID is still killing significantly more people annually than typical influenza.
In BC, flu shots have historically only been free for those with health issues, those who live with them, and I guess the elderly probably. BC always left working ages adults with no recorded health issues out to dry as far as I can tell.
Edit: HISTORICALLY guys!
There is no way this is true. See https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/immunizations/flu
