Should I get a booster and when?

Yes. If you have not already done so, get your booster dose. Being fully vaccinated should now mean getting your booster as well, and that’s the best way to be well protected against any serious complications from COVID-19. In Ontario, you are eligible for a booster if you are 18 or older and your second dose was at least 84 days ago.

Why do we need boosters?

Two doses of mRNA vaccines did a good job of protecting us against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Over time, though, immune systems’ response to vaccination can begin to fade. That’s why a booster dose is needed. After the Omicron wave passes, the strategy for long-term vaccination against COVID-19 will be revisited but for now getting your booster is the best protection we have.

I see there’s still people with boosters testing positive, so what’s the point?

Yes, people with two vaccine doses and even three vaccine doses can test positive for COVID-19. With other variants of COVID-19, the vaccines did a good job of both stopping transmission of the virus to vaccinated people and preventing serious illness in vaccinated people. With the Omicron variant, the vaccine doesn’t stop all transmission. But, vaccination is still extremely effective at preventing serious illness and hospitalization caused by Omicron which is the most important goal of vaccination and reducing the impact of the pandemic on our daily lives. By reducing disease severity, we preserve our healthcare system capacity, which means that fewer public health restrictions will be necessary over time and the overall impact of the pandemic on our daily lives will lessen.

I heard some people are getting a fourth dose? Who?

People with certain immunocompromising conditions like recent stem cell transplants or organ transplants were given a “three-dose primary series.” This means to be fully vaccinated, folks with these specific illnesses were given three doses whereas the general population had two. Some of these people are now eligible for a fourth dose — their booster. You can find more info here. If you had an organ transplant or stem cell transplants or are in active treatment for cancer, please speak to your healthcare provider or learn how to book at this provincial booking link. In addition, residents of long-term care homes are being offered a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This is to offer additional ongoing protecting to this vulnerable population.

I had COVID recently – when should I get a booster?

Update February 7, 2022: Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) now recommends that any vaccinated Canadian who gets infected with SARS-CoV-2 should wait three months before getting a COVID-19 booster shot. Read more about these new recommendations.

If you had COVID-19 after December 15 in Ontario, you’ve likely had Omicron already. If this is the case, there is no rush in getting a COVID-19 booster. We do know that natural immunity can begin to wane within a few months and for this reason vaccination has still been recommended among those who have recovered from COVID-19 once they have fully recovered. The optimal timing for that booster is not yet known but usually it is recommended you get it by three months from the infection.

My kid is 15 and was vaccinated as soon as they were able. Now that was a long time ago! When can they get a booster?

In Ontario, the booster shot has not yet been approved for those 12-17. The CDC in the United States recently announced approval for this population and it’s likely Canada and Ontario will follow suit too. We will update this page once we have more information.

I heard it’s only Moderna right now in Ontario for adult boosters, and I want Pfizer. What should I do?

In Ontario there is currently a Moderna-first approach. Adults age 30+ receive Moderna for their third dose and those under 30 may receive Pfizer based on availability. With Omicron widely circulating and the strong evidence that vaccination greatly reduces the risk of hospitalization and poor outcomes irrespective of the vaccine brand received, please take the booster shot that is available to you right now.

Sunnybrook’s Vaccine Clinic is closed to the public as Sunnybrook is currently focused on vaccinating staff and their households. To find a vaccine clinic near you, visit Ministry of Health’s website or the City of Toronto’s website.

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When most people in a community are immune to a contagious disease, it can’t spread easily. That’s why it’s important to make sure you are up-to-date with all of your recommended vaccines throughout life. Also, our immune systems gradually get weaker as we age. This natural occurrence makes it harder for our bodies to protect against or fight infections, making vaccines a key part of staying healthy. 

Pertussis 

Pertussis is a bacteria that causes whooping cough, and it’s highly contagious through coughing and sneezing. Pertussis can cause intense coughing accompanied by a telltale “whoop” sound. While it’s more common in infants and young children, adults and seniors can also be affected. Pertussis vaccination is available in combination with tetanus (Tdap), and it’s recommended all adults get one dose in adulthood. This is especially important if there is contact with an infant, as they can suffer severe complications from pertussis, including brain swelling and seizures. So if you are a grandparent, make sure to ask your doctor about this. And if you are pregnant, it’s recommended you get a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy between 27-32 weeks gestation. 

Pneumonia

Pneumococcal pneumonia can cause a serious cough, fever, shortness of breath and fatigue, and is a leading cause of death and illness. People affected by other health conditions or chronic illnesses, like asthma, are at higher risk. Pneumonia can spread to other parts of the body, including the blood and brain. The highest risk of complications happens in people under two years old, and those older than 65 years. 

There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines available: Pneumovax23 and Prevnar13. It’s recommended that all adults aged 65 and older get one dose of Pneumovax23, regardless of their risk factors. People at high risk of pneumonia are recommended to get one dose of each of these vaccines; Prevnar13 should be given first, followed by Pneumovax23, as the two together provide the best immunity. 

Check with your health provider to see which option is best for you. 

Shingles 

Also know as herpes zoster, shingles causes severe nerve pain, itching and a blistering skin rash. It’s caused by a reactivation of a previous chicken pox infection, and the risk of developing it increases as you age. Some of the complications associated with shingles, including chronic nerve pain in the area that’s affected, are also much higher in people over the age of 50. About 1 in 3 Canadians will develop shingles in their lifetime, so it’s so important to do what you can to protect yourself. 

It’s recommended everyone over the age of 50 should be immunized for shingles. 

There are two different shingles vaccines available in Canada. Zostavax II is a one-dose live vaccine, so it can’t be given to people who are pregnant or immunocompromised. Overall, it’s about 51 per cent effective, and the effectiveness wanes after about three to five years. Shingrix is a recombinant vaccine, meaning it contains a booster that will help your body with the uptake of it. It’s given over two doses, and is about 96 per cent effective. Studies show that people are protected for at least four years, and possibly as long as nine years afterwards. 

Flu 

Every year, the flu poses a health threat to our community, and those aged 65 and older are at a much higher risk for suffering flu-related complications. Getting your flu vaccine can protect you, your loved ones and the general community. Often, higher doses of the flu vaccine are offered to those over age 65 to compensate for their bodies decreased ability to amount an immune response in older age. 

No matter what vaccine you are considering, be sure to talk to your health care provider. They can inform you about any associated costs, and what the best options are for you. 

Watch the full Speaker Series webcast, including Andrea Payne’s talk on Vaccines Needed in Adulthood:

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