Get a COVID-19 booster shot before the fall flu season, Hamilton experts say

Fall is still almost two months away, but the National Advisory Committee on Immunization wants Canadians to start thinking about getting a booster vaccine shot for COVID-19 in time for flu season. 

Dawn Bowdish, an immunologist and Canada Research Chair in aging and immunity at McMaster University, said now is the time to get the word out for boosters, as she is "confident" Ontario will struggle to hit its vaccination targets this fall. 

"We've never been able to get our seasonal influenza vaccinations up to the numbers that we need, and consequently I think it will also be really hard to get COVID vaccinations to the level we need," she said. 

The city's COVID-19 dashboard states transmission of COVID-19 and the flu are low and stable now, but since the pandemic started, COVID-19 has infected over 76,000 people and has been attributed to 700 deaths.

Dr. Brendan Lew, associate medical officer of health for the City of Hamilton, said a "significant portion of the population will be eligible for a vaccine" this fall.

Both Bowdish and Lew suggest getting a booster at the start of this year's flu season.

Updated vaccine will offer best protection

Lew said public health is anticipating a new, updated vaccine formula for the fall "that will provide that that most up-to-date protection."

He said the city will focus on under-served neighbourhoods and use mobile vaccination clinics to reach those residents, but said most Hamiltonians can get their boosters from their doctor or local pharmacy. 

"Anyone who's in a vulnerable group, which would include pregnant women, which would include older adults, people with co-morbidities, should absolutely be vaccinated," Bowdish said.

Shed urges pregnant women to get a booster shot, even if they are relatively healthy. 

"There's complications for mom and baby if they get infected when they're pregnant," she said.

The city website says anyone six months to four-years-old should have completed a primary series (two to three doses), while anyone five and older should have completed their primary series and received a booster dose.

It states people can book an appointment online or call 905-974-9848, option seven to book.

The website also includes details on local vaccine clinics.