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Source: https://cabinradio.ca/76429/news/he...l-advice-nwt-widens-covid-19-booster-program/
Outpacing national advice, NWT widens Covid-19 booster program
Published: October 16, 2021 at 9:22am Ollie Williams
The Northwest Territories will begin offering booster shots against Covid-19 to residents as young as 50, a local decision that outpaces the speed at which national guidance is evolving.
So far, the national body that issues vaccination advice only recommends a booster dose for long-term care residents and an extra full dose for immunocompromised people. There is “currently no evidence” anyone else needs a booster, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization states.
Dr Kami Kandola, the NWT’s chief public health officer, says otherwise. Dr Kandola says the NWT began vaccinating its residents so early, compared to the rest of Canada, that she does now have evidence warranting the introduction of a booster shot for many more people.
As a result, the NWT on Friday began offering booster doses of Covid-19 vaccine to any Yellowknife residents aged 60 and over.
From next week, that program will expand. Booster shots will be available to anyone aged 60 and over in Yellowknife, Ndilǫ, Dettah, Hay River, Inuvik, and Fort Smith, and anyone aged 50 and over in smaller NWT communities.
“Sometimes I have to look at my own data, look at our own unique circumstances, and realize we are eight to 12 weeks ahead of where Canada will be,” Kandola told Cabin Radio on Friday.
“We gave the vaccines early, we gave them in a tight schedule. Our breakthrough cases are higher, our breakthrough severe outcomes are higher.
“The vaccine is still protective but we need to focus on who, if they get Covid, would end up with severe outcomes. Right now, it’s 60 and older in the four hubs and 50 and older in the smaller communities.”
The NWT issued its opening doses of vaccine on December 31, 2020, weeks ahead of almost anywhere else in Canada. Kandola says that means the territory is dealing with circumstances the national advisory body has yet to fully consider...
Outpacing national advice, NWT widens Covid-19 booster program
Published: October 16, 2021 at 9:22am Ollie Williams
The Northwest Territories will begin offering booster shots against Covid-19 to residents as young as 50, a local decision that outpaces the speed at which national guidance is evolving.
So far, the national body that issues vaccination advice only recommends a booster dose for long-term care residents and an extra full dose for immunocompromised people. There is “currently no evidence” anyone else needs a booster, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization states.
Dr Kami Kandola, the NWT’s chief public health officer, says otherwise. Dr Kandola says the NWT began vaccinating its residents so early, compared to the rest of Canada, that she does now have evidence warranting the introduction of a booster shot for many more people.
As a result, the NWT on Friday began offering booster doses of Covid-19 vaccine to any Yellowknife residents aged 60 and over.
From next week, that program will expand. Booster shots will be available to anyone aged 60 and over in Yellowknife, Ndilǫ, Dettah, Hay River, Inuvik, and Fort Smith, and anyone aged 50 and over in smaller NWT communities.
“Sometimes I have to look at my own data, look at our own unique circumstances, and realize we are eight to 12 weeks ahead of where Canada will be,” Kandola told Cabin Radio on Friday.
“We gave the vaccines early, we gave them in a tight schedule. Our breakthrough cases are higher, our breakthrough severe outcomes are higher.
“The vaccine is still protective but we need to focus on who, if they get Covid, would end up with severe outcomes. Right now, it’s 60 and older in the four hubs and 50 and older in the smaller communities.”
The NWT issued its opening doses of vaccine on December 31, 2020, weeks ahead of almost anywhere else in Canada. Kandola says that means the territory is dealing with circumstances the national advisory body has yet to fully consider...