By Times Chronicle Staff
Interior Health advised today that a Spring COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic will be held at the Osoyoos Health Centre at 4816 – 89th Street on Friday, June 7 at 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Vaccine boosters are recommended for those at increased risk of COVID-19 infection or severe disease, including:
- People 65 years of age and older;
- Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) age 55 years of age and older;
- Residents of long-term care and assisted living (including those waiting for placements);
- People with underlying medical conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19.
Book online at immunizebc.ca or call 1-833-838-2323 to book an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome. Interior Health reminds those getting a vaccination to bring their Care Card.
Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) stated back in January that starting in spring 2024, individuals at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 may get an extra dose of the latest XBB.1.5-based vaccines, which better protect against circulating virus variants.
At the time NACI made that recommendation the dominant subvariant of the virus circulating was JN.1. Since then two new subvariants – KP.2 and KP.3 – under the Omicron umbrella have emerged and spread quickly. As of late May nearly 50 per cent of COVID-19 cases in Canada involved one of these strains.
These two subvariants are among several variants being referred to as “FLiRT variants,” named after the technical names for their mutations.
The existing XBB.1.5-based booster is expected to provide some protection against the FLiRT variants, say health authorities. No determination has been made on whether boosters will be adapted for a fall 2024 vaccination campaign in BC.
