Some Windsor-Essex pharmacists calling on province to expand fourth dose booster eligibility
A Windsor-Essex pharmacist says expanding eligibility of COVID-19 boosters to allow adults to get a fourth dose if they wish could help avoid a surge of vaccine seekers ahead of a possible fall wave.
Tim Brady, Chairmen of the Ontario Pharmacists Association says they’re calling on the Ontario government to open fourth dose eligibility to anyone 18 years or older.
“It's just being extra precautionary,” says Brady. “It's like insurance on your car, or anything else. I mean, if it's not an inconvenience and you can get in to get the shot, it's not gonna hurt you to get it. Especially if you haven’t had any issues in the first three. The chances of having an issue on the fourth is very small.”
“Because we know that the immunity does wane off after a time so anybody under the age of 60, because you're immunity is going to wear off after a time we don't want people when the fall hits not to have any coverage,” Brady explains.
Currently, fourth doses are only available to Ontarians who are 60 or older.
Only 52.4 per cent of people over age 12 in Windsor Essex have received three doses, according to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit‘s latest vaccine statistics from June 29.
“The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit continues to follow the guidance of the Ontario provincial government for COVID-19 vaccine dose eligibility and schedules. All residents are encouraged to stay up to date with their COVID-19 and other vaccinations,” says an email statement to CTV News the health unit.
“But there are people that want it who now are not being allowed to get it,” says Brady. “So at this point our goal is if someone wants to get the injection to feel safer, we want to make sure we can give it to them.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.