N.S. recommends additional COVID-19 shots for some children, teens
CBC
Nova Scotia announced Wednesday it is recommending additional COVID-19 shots under certain circumstances for people between the ages of five and 17.
The recommendation is based on guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).
For people ages 12 to 17, a booster dose is recommended for:
Youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who do not meet the guidelines can still get a booster dose. To do so, they must review information during the booking process and provide informed consent. The information includes the rare risk of myocarditis and pericarditis following a dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.
COVID-19 booster shots for teens haven't yet been approved by Health Canada, but Nova Scotia said NACI has indicated that so far the safety concerns are no different than with two doses in parts of the world where adolescents have been given boosters.
"The majority of adolescents 12 to 17 in Nova Scotia do not need a booster dose as they are at low risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes if they are fully vaccinated," Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, said in a statement.
"However, for some, the benefit of receiving a booster dose ahead of further approvals outweighs the risk of getting COVID-19."
The province said about 98 per cent of people 12 to 17 have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine or have a second dose appointment scheduled.
Nova Scotia said it's also following NACI's guidance on third doses for children ages 5 to 11 who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. They are now eligible for a third dose of vaccine to complete their primary series. A third dose can be booked 56 days after the second dose.
Based on NACI's guidance, the province is providing recommendations on vaccine timing for people who have tested positive for COVID-19:
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