Health officials are not recommending a 4th vaccine dose for general population

Saskatchewan health officials say they are not recommending a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine for the general population at this time.

At the same time in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration approved a second booster for everyone over the age of 50 this week. 

The province says its stance is consistent with current National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations.

"I'm sure that there will be conversations probably underway as we speak about further expansion of vaccination across the province," Everett Hindley, Saskatchewan's minister of seniors and rural and remote health, told reporters at the Legislative Building in Regina on Wednesday. 

In Saskatchewan, fourth shots are currently available for residents of long-term care, special care and personal care homes five months after their third dose. 

Fourth shots are also available for immunocompromised individuals who fit the descriptions listed here three months after their first booster. 

Based on eligibility, 475,372 individuals age 18 and older have received a third dose, and 20,113 individuals age 18 and older have received a fourth dose.

Dr. Dennis Kendel, a Saskatoon health policy expert and retired physician, says the province should bring in second boosters for the general population as soon as it can. 

"There often is some delay between a decision by the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S.] and action in Canada," he said, "so it'll be interesting to see, province by province, how different provinces handle this. But I do hope in Saskatchewan we will offer a fourth dose to everyone, frankly."  

He says getting a fourth shot is beneficial. 

"There is certainly evidence that it does offer significant protection against serious illness and reduces risk of hospitalization and certainly reduces risk of death … it's not an absolute protection, but it certainly does protect against more devastating impact."

All individuals 12 and older are eligible for a booster dose at this time. However, booster shot acceptance has been low in Saskatchewan. 

As of March 19, among the population 12 years and older, 47.7 per cent had received at least one booster compared with 47.5 per cent in the previous week. Among the population 18 years and older, 51.2 per cent had received at least one booster compared with 51.0 per cent in the previous week.  

Saskatchewan Health Minister Paul Merriman told reporters at the Legislative Building on Monday that COVID-19 is still very much in communities, and residents should seriously consider getting their booster shots.