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Quebec extends fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose to those 60 and older

Interim public health director Dr. Luc Boileau said Quebec isn't yet planning to open the fourth dose to all adults, but feels it's needed to protect some of the province’s more vulnerable residents.

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As the pandemic’s sixth wave continues to build across the province, Quebec announced Tuesday it’s opening access to the COVID-19 vaccine’s fourth dose to all people 60 and older.

The step goes further than current national guidelines, but Quebec’s interim public health director said he believes it’s necessary in order to shield some of the province’s more vulnerable residents.

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“It’s a question of being prudent and adapting to the current circumstances,” Dr. Luc Boileau said during a news conference, noting three-quarters of those hospitalized with the virus in Quebec are at least 60 years old.

“It will offer an additional protection to people who are more vulnerable because of their age, and also for those who would feel more comfortable knowing they have an additional dose.”

Quebec has already opened access to fourth doses, or second booster shots, to people living in long-term care homes, people 80 and older in the community and others deemed to be at high risk.

It will now extend the campaign to people in their 70s as of Wednesday, and people in their 60s on April 11. Those looking to get the additional shot will need to wait until at least three months have passed since their previous dose.

Asked whether other age groups will be added soon, Boileau said public health does not see the need to offer the fourth dose to the rest of the population just yet.

But Dr. Jean Longtin, a microbiologist with Quebec’s health department, said since the effectiveness of vaccines tends to decrease after five or six months, another mass vaccination campaign could be “in the cards” next fall.

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In new guidelines released Tuesday, Canada’s vaccine advisory board said the second booster shot would benefit people 80 and older the most but could be considered for people in their 70s as well.

“In general, jurisdictions should aim to provide a second booster dose six months after the receipt of the previous booster dose,” the board added, “but the six-month interval may need to be balanced with local and current epidemiology.”

Pandemic indicators have continued to rise in Quebec since the province declared last week that a sixth wave was underway. Boileau said Tuesday he does not expect the increase to reach the heights of the fifth wave, but warned the province still needs to be careful.

In addition to extending the second booster shot campaign, Quebec also announced it’s keeping its mask mandate in effect until at least the end of April.

“We’re confronting a potential major wave,” Boileau said. “It’s not only a small bump and it’s (still increasing).”

In an interview, Dr. Alain Lamarre, a specialist in immunology and virology at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), said he agrees with the decision to open the second booster shot to more people.

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“I think it’s logical,” Lamarre said. “We know immunity against the Omicron variant decreases pretty quickly after the third dose, especially for older people who might have somewhat weaker immune systems.”

Lamarre said he believes Quebec has set the interval to three months out of prudence, but added people shouldn’t feel the need to rush to get their fourth dose either.

“If you are in your 60s and in good health, I don’t think there’s any urgency,” he said. “You can probably wait five or six months and still have protection.”

Like other public health experts in recent weeks, Lamarre also urged people to get their first booster shot if they haven’t yet.

“Especially against Omicron, it’s a vaccine that absolutely requires three doses to be protected against severe infections.”

jfeith@postmedia.com

twitter.com/jessefeith

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