B.C. is preparing to roll out the newest COVID-19 vaccine in September or October, says the province’s top doctor, calling the shot less of a booster and more of an update.
NACI said increased protection will help reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the health system while other respiratory viruses, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus , are circulating in the fall and winter. Henry said the very young are also at risk, and “every study we look at” shows if you’re unvaccinated, you have a much higher risk of having more severe illness and being hospitalized.
The updated vaccine, multiple millions of doses of which have been given safely, Henry said, is the same “well-proven” technology with just the circulating strains updated — as is done in the flu vaccine. Based on wastewater and patient testing results, infections are way down. “We look at hospitalizations and we’ve had the fewest people in hospital and it’s consistent around the globe.”