Some teens at high risk of severe COVID illness should get 4th shot: NACI

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization now recommends teenagers with underlying health conditions and those who are at high-risk of COVID-19 exposure get a booster shot.

In some cases, particularly for adolescents who are immunocompromised, the additional booster would be their fourth shot.

NACI continues to recommend children 12 to 17 years old receive a complete primary series of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, including a third dose for those who are deemed moderately to severely immunocompromised, Canada Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says.

“In addition, for adolescents who are at high risk due to biological and/or social risk factors, NACI now recommends a booster dose of an authorized mRNA COVID-19 vaccine may be offered at least six months after the completion of a primary COVID-19 vaccine series,” Tam explained Friday morning.

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“These include adolescents aged 12 to 17 years who have an underlying medical condition that may put them at high risk of severe illness due to COVID-19, including those who are immunocompromised and who have already received a three-dose primary series.”

The updated guidance from NACI comes as the Omicron variant continues to spread across Canada. While Tam notes kids and adolescents are still at low risk of serious illness in general from COVID-19, the high rate of infection driven by this mutation has resulted in more children being admitted to hospital.

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Health Canada data suggests in the last week 251 children under 12 and 84 adolescents between 12 and 19 years old were admitted to hospital with the virus.

“Even though it may seem though the worst of Omicron may be behind us, we all want to continue to exercise prudence and to follow public health advice,” said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos Friday.

In addition to the aforementioned groups, NACI also recommends boosters for 12- to 17-year-olds who are in congregate living settings, including shelters and group homes, as well as those who belong to racialized or marginalized communities that are disproportionately affected by the virus.