Sask. epidemiologist says Moe's lack of knowledge on COVID-19 booster schedule 'bewildering'
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says he doesn't know when second booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be available for people under 50.
He also says he doesn't know what the province's plan is for a possible fall wave of COVID-19.
"I have not talked to Dr. Shahab recently on what his plan is with respect to the booster program. So it'd be a question best posed for him or the health minister. We can find out and get back to you," he said when asked by CTV News on Tuesday at a media availability.
University of Saskatchewan epidemiologist Nazeem Muhajarine was critical of Moe's response.
"It's bewildering, actually, that, that premier of a province will say that publicly at a time when we're still caught up in a pandemic. The pandemic hasn't left us at all, so the premier of a province and the chief medical health officer for the province still need to show up and message and tell people what the situation of the pandemic is currently in the province, what they are watching and monitoring, and how they plan to respond to different scenarios, particularly the scenario where we have a rise of cases quickly, a rush on hospital beds," he said.
"We don't expect in the summer in July 2022 our political leaders or public health leaders to give news conferences every week, we are beyond that, that is not where we are at this time. But to go months after months, without clear communication of what of the state of the pandemic, and particularly what our plans are, I think is, you know, it's really not stepping up to the need for this information. I would hope that we will hear more clear plans and clear information from our leaders in the coming days and weeks."
Executive council spokesperson Matthew Glover said in a follow-up email to CTV News that the province anticipates the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) to make further recommendations this fall.
According to the Ministry of Health, booster dose eligibility may be expanded to additional age groups based on the best available evidence and medical advice going forward, including Health Canada and NACI recommendations.
NACI currently recommends a second booster dose for adults 80 years of age and over living in the community and adults living in long-term care or other congregate living settings for seniors. It says provinces could also consider offering a second COVID-19 booster dose to adults 70-79 years of age living in the community. Saskatchewan has expanded the eligibility for second booster doses to all residents aged 50 and older.
In an interim guidance document published June 29, NACI says the later fall and winter months are expected to be associated with a resurgence of community transmission due to indoor and seasonal gatherings.
Those seasons are also a time when the incidence rates of other respiratory diseases are elevated, which leads to increased pressure on health systems, NACI says.
"In addition to offering a primary series with a COVID-19 vaccine to individuals in all authorized age groups and booster dose(s) in eligible populations previously recommended by NACI, jurisdictions should plan for the following in advance of a possible future wave of COVID-19 in Canada."
NACI makes three recommendations in the meantime:
- Those who are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should be offered a fall booster dose regardless of the number of booster doses previously received.
- All other people 12 to 64 years of age may be offered a fall booster dose regardless of the number of booster doses previously received.
- Booster doses may be offered at an interval of six months after the previous COVID-19 vaccine dose or infection. A shorter interval of at least three months may be warranted in the context of heightened epidemiologic risk and operational considerations for the efficient deployment of the program.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.