Quebecers aged 12-17 now eligible for 3rd dose, appointments open as of Saturday
CBC
When the highly transmissible Omicron variant swept across Quebec late last year, 16-year-old Milla Simms became scared for her health for the first time in the pandemic.
"Prior to the spread of the Omicron variant ... [COVID-19] never really felt like something that hit me super, super close," said the Montreal teen.
"But then around the winter break .. it felt like every single person I knew had suddenly gotten it and I was like, 'OK am I next?'"
So when Simms found out she'd be able to register online for her third dose as of this weekend, she said she wouldn't hesitate.
"I'm actually really excited," she said.
The Health Ministry expanded booster dose eligibility to people aged 12 to 17 on Friday following a recommendation from the province's immunization committee (CIQ).
It advises teenagers who are at high risk of complications from the virus roll up their sleeves for a third time, however anyone in the age group who wishes to get a booster dose can also do so, provided it's been at least three months since their second dose.
Appointments will be made available to the age group on the Clic Santé portal starting Saturday.
Nikolaos Anastasopoulos, 14, says he's also happy to be able to get the third dose so he can safely resume sports and travel to Greece with his family.
As with adults, studies in teenagers show a decrease in protection against infection over time, the ministry says.
"A booster dose will result in greater vaccine efficacy in 12- to 17-year-olds in the short term against the new variants, including Omicron," it said.
Dr. Earl Rubin, director of the pediatric infectious disease unit at the Montreal Children's Hospital, says while the third will protect teenagers against more severe infection, it's those who are high-risk that stand to benefit most.
"[Those with] obesity, severe asthma, any underlying health conditions ... as well as those living in a group living environment ... I absolutely endorse and believe it is the right thing to do," said Rubin.
For other teenager, he said there is still a benefit in getting a third dose, as it protects against more severe disease, but the vaccination isn't as strong in preventing transmission as it has been with previous variants.
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