Booster shots for COVID-19 now available in Nunavut
Nunavummiut 12 and up who have been vaccinated for more than 6 months are eligible
A booster shot for the COVID-19 vaccine helps increase immunity, says Nunavut’s chief public health officer, Dr. Michael Patterson. (Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash)
COVID-19 booster shots are now available to all Nunavummiut 12 years of age or older who received their second shot more than six months ago, Nunavut’s chief public health officer, Dr. Michael Patterson announced Friday.
“The booster dose will help increase immunity to COVID-19, as recent evidence shows that vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 decreases over time,” Patterson said in a news release.
Booster doses help extend the efficiency of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to recent guidance from the Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunizations, according to a Health Department statement.
The booster shot helps protect against serious illness, curbs the rate of transmission and increases protection against more infectious variants, such as the Delta variant, it says.
Nunavummiut can call their local health centre for an appointment. In Iqaluit, booster shots are available at Iqaluit Public Health.
Appointments can be made by calling 867-975-4810. Appointments for booster shots are available Monday to Friday 9:30–11:45 a.m., 1:15–4:30 p.m. and 5–7 p.m. Appointments are also available on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon, and from 1 to 4 p.m.
Masks are still required indoors, and booster shots are not required for travel, according to the department.
Will we no longer be considered fully vaccinated if we do not get the booster shot?
Immunity received from the covid vaccines only lasts so long. We can expect covid vaccines to be like the flu shot in the future