P.E.I. set to distribute new, bivalent COVID-19 vaccine to clinics in coming days

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — P.E.I. is on the point of roll out a brand new COVID-19 vaccine that may defend towards each Omicron BA.1 pressure and the unique SARS-CoV-2 virus, says the general public well being workplace.

Moderna Bivalent Spikevax vaccine was authorised by Well being Canada Sept. 1 for people 18 years of age and older. The bivalent vaccine targets the unique pressure of SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variant of concern (BA.1).

The primary 3,400 doses of Moderna Spikevax Bivalent vaccine had been scheduled to reach in P.E.I. the week of Sept. 5 with one other 9,600 doses anticipated the week of Sept. 12. Additional shipments are scheduled all through the month of September, stated Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I.’s chief public well being officer, in a press release despatched Sept. 7.

Data can be circulated to health-care suppliers the week of Sept. 12 concerning availability and ordering of the brand new vaccine.

“Bivalent boosters will provide the best potential safety as COVID-19 turns into endemic. In an effort to keep forward of one other potential wave of an infection as we transfer into the autumn, it’s vital to be up-to-date and have a booster that might present broad safety towards completely different variants, even ones the vaccines weren’t particularly designed to combat towards,” stated the assertion.

Sustaining safety

Though folks beneath 18 years previous should not eligible for the brand new bivalent vaccine, Morrison encourages children to get the photographs and boosters which are out there to them.

“People 5 years of age and older must be updated on their vaccination and are beneficial to get a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine six months after the final dose within the major sequence,” stated the assertion.

Excessive-risk people are inspired to take the primary out there booster shot.

“To make sure well timed safety, people eligible for a fall booster dose, significantly these in teams at larger threat of extreme outcomes from COVID-19, mustn’t delay vaccination in anticipation of a bivalent, Omicron-containing mRNA vaccine,” stated the assertion.

The unique and new vaccines are efficient in lowering the chance of extreme sickness from the Omicron variants and sub-variants.

“Our COVID-19 immunization technique has been efficient in defending Islanders from the virus and we should keep diligent in persevering with to get vaccinated,” stated the assertion.

“All sorts of the COVID-19 vaccines are more practical than not having any doses of vaccine for defense.”