N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Booster bookings open up for people 50 and older

New Brunswickers aged 50 or older who received two doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine can now book an appointment for a booster dose.

Eligibility has been expanded to include those born in 1971 or before, including those turning 50 this year, the province's website shows.

At least six months must have passed since they received their second Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech shot.

Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province's chief medical officer of health, announced last Friday that the province would expand the availability of booster doses this week to include people in their 50s. 

Eligibility will be expanded in the coming weeks to include people in their 40s, with other New Brunswickers following after, she had said.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization is now "strongly recommending" that all Canadians over the age of 50 and other vulnerable individuals — such as health care workers, Indigenous people and those living in congregate care settings — get a third dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

In a report issued Friday, NACI — an independent body made up of volunteer vaccine experts — also calls on Canadians aged 18 to 49 to get a third mRNA shot at least six months after they got their second.

NACI said it's recommending booster shots now because emerging data suggests that protection against infection is decreasing over time for those who completed a two-dose vaccine regimen.

As of Sunday, 82 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, up from 81.9 per cent, and 87.3 per cent had received their first dose, up from 87.1 per cent.

The province's goal is to get at least 90 per cent of the total population fully vaccinated.

According to the CBC vaccine tracker, 78 per cent of the total popluation is double-dosed, while 83.1 per cent have received at least one dose.

Appointments for booster shots for those eligible and for first and second doses can be scheduled for a regional health authority community COVID-19 vaccination clinic through the online booking system or at a participating pharmacy.

A list of upcoming walk-in clinics is available online.

New Brunswick reported another COVID-related death and 195 new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend as it entered Level 1 of the Winter Action Plan — 118 on Sunday and 77 on Saturday.