
Where's the line on who gets COVID booster shots?
CBC
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Many Canadians are watching as countries like the U.S. and Israel authorize COVID-19 booster shots for more people and wondering why third doses aren't being widely recommended in Canada.
Israel is moving most aggressively, recommending boosters to everyone 12 years of age and older. In the U.S., everyone 65 years old and above is eligible for a booster, along with people with certain underlying medical conditions.
Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has so far only recommended third doses for people living in long-term care and people who have one of a handful of specific conditions that makes them moderately to severely immunocompromised.
Several people have been contacting CBC News to ask why those with chronic conditions that make them more vulnerable to severe illness if they get COVID-19 — or seniors who don't live in long-term care — aren't on NACI's list.
CBC News spoke to immunologists, infectious diseases specialists and a geriatrics expert to find out.
All agreed that everyone will need a booster at some point — but for most people, that time isn't now.