Canada has achieved high levels of primary series vaccination, in part due to the strong collaboration and innovative support provided by industry partners during the rollout last year.

The COVID-19 pandemic remains dynamic and new variants may emerge, especially as people return to in-person workplaces and we head into the Fall when more time is spent indoors and COVID-19 can spread more quickly. But, the government continues to have new tools available: youngest Canadians 6 months to 5 years old are now eligible for a vaccination against COVID-19,  children aged 5 to 11 years old can now get boosted, and Moderna’s bivalent vaccine has been authorized for use as a booster dose in individuals 18 years and older.

The challenge: The uptake of additional doses and pediatric vaccines is lagging. Most people in Canada that did receive a booster dose (and not everyone did) likely did so in late 2021/early 2022 and will need an additional dose in the Fall as immunity wanes, in order to keep their vaccinations up-to-date for optimal protection, in line with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations.

The following posts encourage everyone to remain up-to-date on routine vaccines, including for COVID-19, to support a return to economic and social activities, which will require us to all work together. Businesses, associations, and networks have played and will continue to play, a critical role in ensuring that people across the country can safely work and access the vital goods and services they need.

As COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities and public health measures are lifted mainly, there is a greater dependency on individual actions such as vaccination to protect people working in Canada. Promoting vaccination can help mitigate and reduce prolonged workforce absenteeism due to severe illness, which can be particularly important in the context of existing labour shortages, especially during respiratory illness season.

 

Most people with seasonal, food or other allergies can still be given COVID-19 vaccines.

Allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines are rare. When they do happen, it’s usually right after your vaccination and treatable. If you are concerned, speak with a health care provider about any serious allergies or health conditions you may have before you get a COVID-19 vaccine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A booster dose improves protection against severe illness.

Protection against COVID-19 – whether from vaccination or prior infection – decreases over time. A booster dose helps to improve the immune response and provide better and longer lasting protection against serious illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. It’s important to keep your vaccinations up-to-date, which includes getting a COVID-19 booster dose when eligible

 

 

 

 

 

All of the vaccines are effective.

All of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in Canada are effective at protecting you from serious illness, hospitalization and death caused by COVID-19.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The vaccines are recommended for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you are pregnant, even early on, you are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Evidence shows that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe and recommended if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk to your health care provider about vaccines that can help protect you during pregnancy.

 

 

 

 

 

More Fall Vaccination campaigns to follow.