As the fall season approaches, Health Canada has approved new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna for people six months and older. The vaccines target the LP.8.1 strain, an Omicron subtype, and are part of a new approach to annual vaccinations similar to the flu.

“Many have forgotten about COVID, but this virus can still be very serious, especially for seniors and immunocompromised people,” warned infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has recommended that people over 80, residents of long-term care facilities and immunocompromised patients get two doses annually. One dose per year is also recommended for people 65 to 79 years of age, health-care workers and other high-risk groups.

Experts say epidemiological data shows that the majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in Canada continue to occur among people over 65, and especially those over 80.

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