PE Government: Additional groups recommended to receive booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Press Release

Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has announced expanded recommendations for booster COVID-19 vaccine doses for Islanders.

“Booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines can increase the immune response and offer more protection against infection. As we expand the criteria for those who are eligible for booster doses, we are ensuring that Island residents have access to booster doses. All Island residents who wish to receive a booster dose of the vaccine can do so by making an appointment at a Health PEI clinic or a partner pharmacy for six months after their second dose.”

– Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison

Today, Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) released guidance on booster COVID-19 vaccine doses in Canada with the following objectives: minimize serious illness and death, to preserve health care capacity, and reduce transmission to protect high risk populations.

The following groups of Island residents should receive a booster dose of an authorized mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after they received their second dose:
Adults 18 years and older;

  • Health care workers with direct in-person contact with patients (regardless of the interval between the 1st and 2nd doses);
  • Moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals (after the primary series of 3 doses);
  • Residents of long-term care and community care facilities;
  • Indigenous peoples;
  • Adults who received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine.

“Islanders living in long-term care or community care, those age 50 and over, and anyone who is moderately to severely immunocompromised are at the highest risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. I strongly recommend these groups to get a booster dose of vaccine when they become eligible 6 months after their last dose of COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Heather Morrison.

Islanders can book an appointment to receive their booster COVID-19 vaccination at one of the Health PEI clinics (link is external) or at one of the 28 partner pharmacies across the province.

Dr. Morrison also announced one new case of COVID-19 in PEI. The individual is in their 70s and is a close contact of a previously announced case. Contact tracing is complete, and the individual is self-isolating.

There are currently 19 active cases of COVID-19 in PEI and there have been 382 cases since the pandemic began.

As always, all Islanders are urged to get tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, even after a previous negative test, and to self-isolate until the results come back. Islanders are also encouraged to download the free national COVID Alert app, which will let them know if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Anyone age 12 and over can receive their COVID-19 vaccination at one of the Health PEI clinics and those age 18 years or older can visit one of the 28 partner pharmacies across the province. Island children between the ages of five and 11 can now receive their COVID-19 vaccination at Health PEI clinics.

For information on PEI’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, including vaccine facts, immunization data and booking an appointment, visit: COVID-19 Vaccines. For answers to commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, visit: Answers to Common COVID-19 Vaccine Questions.

For the latest information about Prince Edward Island’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit: COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Prince Edward Island.
Backgrounder:

The Chief Public Health Office continues to work closely with the federal government, provincial and territorial counterparts, government departments and Health PEI to monitor the pandemic situation and prepare for all COVID-19 related impacts to the province, including health, social and economic. The public health risk of COVID-19 is continually reassessed, and Islanders will be updated as new information becomes available.

Everyone is encouraged to follow routine prevention measures:

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water
  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
  • Get vaccinated
  • Wear a non-medical mask in indoor places
  • Stay home if you are not feeling well
  • Limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Keep your circle of contacts small
  • Physical distance – stay two meters (6 feet) apart
  • Don’t share items like drinking glasses and water bottles
  • Frequently clean surfaces like taps, doorknobs and countertops
  • Visit a drop-in-clinic to be tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms

Media Contact:
Samantha Hughes
Health and Wellness
shughes@gov.pe.ca (link sends e-mail)

IHT5

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