Quebec announces 3rd COVID-19 vaccine dose for seniors in residences
Faced with a rise in outbreaks, Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube announced Tuesday that seniors living in residences will be offered a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
He made the announcement during a vaccination campaign update, accompanied by the province's public health director, Dr. Horacio Arruda, and the head of Quebec's COVID-19 vaccination strategy, Daniel Paré.
"If we look at the last few weeks, we see that we are starting to have outbreaks again in what we call our living environments," Dube said referring to the province's long-term care homes (CHSLD, RPA).
About 250,000 seniors are eligible for a third dose.
Dube said immunization experts have recommended a six-month interval between second and third doses, and, thus, mobile units will be deployed at the end of October to those living environments.
Arruda said the reason elders at home will not be a priority is due to the risk of infection being greater in residences than at home. If the situation changes, seniors living at home will be added to the priority list.
"If there is a risk to those persons, we'll do the same thing," he said.
There are currently 140 active COVID-19 cases in Quebec seniors' homes, including an outbreak at a facility in Mirabel.
The elderly are more at risk of infection because their immune system is weaker, as the antibodies from the first two doses wear off and variants become a bigger threat.
"When the body's immune system starts bringing things down because that's how it normally behaves, but then there's a lot of variants," said infectious disease specialist Dr. Donald Vinh. "You can see why there would be a need for boosters. What we don't want is to find ourselves where we were a year and a half ago, but this time with variants, decimating our elderly again."
Dube said that a third dose could soon be offered to more Quebecers.
"We will await for the recommendation of our experts for other age groups," said Dube.
In August, the Quebec Institute of Public Health (INSPQ) recommended that Quebecers on dialysis or who are immunocompromised get a third dose of vaccine, but didn't advocate for seniors. Now, the INSPQ is recommending the booster shot for seniors.
Quebec's plan for a third dose follows Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta. The U.S. is recommending anyone over 65 years old get a third shot. Arruda said in the States, there was a shorter time between first and second doses.
" The U.S. used a vaccine with 21 or 28 days interval," he said. "There's a lot of data saying they had to revaccinate people because the interval was too low. We waited 16 weeks and that made our antibody response better."
The health minister said though the numbers have plateaued and the number of hospitalizations is also expected to stabilize, the Delta variant and outbreaks continue to occur.
"We must remain careful," said Dube. "In general it's the unvaccinated people who get the sickness."
COVID-19 cases have spiked in the last two months in Quebec, mostly due to the highly contagious Delta variant that is leading the fourth wave.
Arruda said no new measures aside from the mandatory mask and physical distancing orders would be required.
"Even though you have two doses, you can still spread the virus. We shouldn’t drop all of our health restrictions,” he said.
With the Oct. 15 deadline approaching for health-care workers to be fully vaccinated, Dube said that 7,000 health-care workers who are in contact with patients have yet to be fully vaccinated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.