As the days grow shorter and the chill of autumn settles in, public health officials across Canada are preparing to roll out the latest COVID-19 vaccines to help protect against severe illness during the upcoming fall and winter seasons. With updated vaccines on the horizon, Canadians are being encouraged to consider getting immunized to safeguard themselves and their loved ones, especially as new subvariants of Omicron continue to circulate.
Health Canada has announced that it is in the final stages of reviewing updated COVID-19 vaccines, with approval expected by “early autumn.” This follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent approval of two updated vaccines designed to reduce hospitalizations and deaths caused by the virus. According to a Health Canada spokesperson, the agency is currently reviewing submissions from Pfizer and Moderna for vaccines targeting the KP.2 strain, as well as a submission from Novavax for a vaccine targeting the earlier JN.1 strain.
“Health Canada plans to complete the review process by early autumn, with doses arriving shortly thereafter,” the spokesperson said.
As the virus that causes COVID-19 continues to mutate and spread, public health experts are emphasizing the importance of staying up to date with vaccinations. Mandy Cohen, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), highlighted the need for continued vigilance.
“While the COVID virus continues to mutate and change faster than the flu virus, our underlying immunity from prior vaccines and prior infections provides some protection,” Cohen said. “But we know that protection decreases over time, and certain groups continue to be at higher risk from COVID and other viruses, and we need to continue to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
Dawn Bowdish, an immunology professor at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, noted that COVID-19 activity tends to peak every three to six months, making the upcoming winter a critical period for vaccination.
For many Canadians, the question of whether to get the updated vaccine now or wait until fall is top of mind. Dr. Iris Gorfinkel, a family physician in Toronto, advises most of her patients to wait for the new vaccine formulations to become available.
“Right now, because fall is around the corner, I’m recommending that they actually wait,” Gorfinkel said. “Wait for that better-matched vaccine because chances are it’s going to reduce hospitalization.”
However, Gorfinkel and other experts emphasize that individuals who are at higher risk—such as those aged 65 and older or those with underlying health conditions—should consider getting a fresh dose sooner if it has been more than six months since their last vaccination. This aligns with recommendations from Canada’s national advisory body.
“Anyone who’s at high risk of hospitalization and who is more than six months out from a vaccine is probably better served by getting vaccinated, even if it’s an imperfect match right now,” Bowdish said.
As the pandemic enters yet another phase, the threat of COVID-19 continues to loom large, particularly with the Paralympic Games in Paris set to begin amidst outbreaks among Olympic athletes. The virus has proven to be persistent, with new subvariants of Omicron, such as those starting with KP, causing illness across Canada and the U.S.
Vaccine manufacturers, including Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax, are working closely with regulators like Health Canada to ensure that the latest vaccines are available to the public as soon as possible. These updated vaccines are expected to offer enhanced protection against the most recent strains of the virus, even if they are not a perfect match.
“The new vaccine formulation coming for the fall is much like recharging your batteries and your protection for the upcoming winter season,” said Shehzad Iqbal, country medical director of Moderna Canada.
With the arrival of updated vaccines just weeks away, Canadians are urged to consider their options and make informed decisions about their health. Federal officials have assured the public that Canada has “secured sufficient supply of COVID-19 vaccines to meet provincial and territorial requirements for fall and winter 2024 vaccination campaigns.”
As the virus continues to evolve and challenge public health systems worldwide, staying vigilant and up to date with vaccinations remains a key strategy in the fight against COVID-19. Whether choosing to get vaccinated now or waiting for the updated vaccines, Canadians are encouraged to prioritize their health and the health of those around them as the colder months approach.
