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.
I only got the invitation in November or so, checked the appt. dates near me and they all sucked - far away or during work. I checked again couple of weeks ago and they had way more slots so I managed to get one close by on a weekend, but I could easily see someone not bothering due to the lack of availability.
Can’t you just go into a Shoppers and get one? That’s what I did. Just a walk-in back in the first week of November
Weird. I live in Ottawa and it was literally just walking into my local SDM. I got it and my annual flu shot at the same time.
To be fair, it’s kind of challenging when you’re supposed to wait six months following your last COVID infection…
That’s what they’re saying in my province, at any rate:
Beginning in the fall of 2023 for those previously vaccinated against COVID-19, individuals aged 6 months and older are recommended to receive one dose of the new XBB.1.5 formulation of COVID-19 vaccine if it has been at least 6 months from the previous COVID-19 vaccine dose or known SARS-CoV-2 infection (which ever is later).
Holy hell, that’s low. It only cracks 10% uptake at the age 50+ bucket. No wonder I’m hearing about so many people getting COVID this fall.
Only 4% uptake in school-attending ages is ridiculous. Schools are cesspools of disease at the best of times.
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!
I wonder how that compares to flu shots.
We got both ours done at once
Over the past two decades, flu shots have had a 25-40% uptake rate per year (source). It’s amazing that covid boosters are so much lower than this, though if people were recently infected or vaccinated, then maybe they aren’t allowed to get vaccinated with the booster designed for the xbb station yet.
I got a covid shot but didn’t bother with flu. My very uneducated point of view was that flu doesn’t have any serious long term effects and I had heard a few people say the vaccine took them out for a few days, so why bother? As I say though, uneducated on it, anyone think I should?
Flu can have long term effects. Even if you aren’t seriously affected you could pass it on to someone who is.
You should probably get the flu shot. If the flu shot knocks you out for a few days it’s probably better than getting the flu and being more sick for a week. The flu is a more serious illness than we typically think of it. Plus you would help stop the spread to other more vulnerable people, which is nice. The flu shot is one of the best things you can do for public health.
Also for what it’s worth, never been knocked on my ass from a flu shot. I know people who have been, but I think most people aren’t that bothered by it… Just a sore arm and maybe a little achey next day.
Not surprised when the government tried to pretend that COVID isn’t a problem anymore
No just that. Even stores did away with measures to protect their staff and shoppers: removing clear plexiglass at cash registers, getting rid of hand sanitizer, removing social distancing markers on the floor, etc.
Because the government isn’t madating anything anymore. They’re all just pretending like it doesn’t exist anymore
But stores already had these things in place, and the original investment/cost was already spent.
Removing those safeguards seems to have been done out of spite. And to whose benefit? It just creates additional strain on employees, who will get sick more often.
