Please see below for information regarding the new NACI guidance on booster shots for COVID-19 vaccines and a summary of border measures announced last week.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) provides expert, independent recommendations on vaccination rollout for provinces and territories. Our government had asked NACI to prioritize the review of Canada’s current vaccine regimes and their effectiveness in light of this new variant. After a thorough and independent review, NACI has recommended boosters for all adults at least six months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccine series, with priority for:
• Adults 50 years of age and older, as well as Canadians aged 18 to 49;
• Adults living in long-term care facilities;
• Adults who only received viral vector doses such as AstraZeneca or Janssen;
• First Nations, Inuit and Metis adults;
• All frontline healthcare workers who work directly with patients.
While public health officials in Canada and around the world learn more about the Omicron variant, we are taking swift action at our borders to protect the health of Canadians. This includes temporarily prohibiting entry for foreign nationals who have visited 10 listed countries and strengthening our strict testing and quarantine requirements for all incoming travelers. As Canada’s border measures evolve, you can stay updated by visiting https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
• As of December 3, over 71.7M vaccine doses have been delivered to the provinces and territories
• As of December 3, over 61.8M vaccine doses have been administered across Canada.
• As of December 3, over 84.4% of eligible Canadians (aged 5+) have received their first dose, and more than 80% of all Canadians (aged 5+) are fully vaccinated
• As of November 30, over 94.6M rapid tests have been received by the Government of Canada. The following has been shipped to the provinces and territories:
o BC: 3,200,306
o AB: 11,270,904
o SK: 9,548,216
o MB: 2,730,098
o YT: 35,848
o NL: 413,728
o PEI: 781,688
o NS: 4,235,657
o NB: 3,595,112
o QC: 11,697,112
o ON: 31,305,773
o NWT: 142,760
o NU: 52,816
