Less than two weeks after being asked about the need for booster shots, the Yukon government will provide the vaccine doses to people 50 and older beginning Monday.

“Following recommendations from the acting Yukon’s chief medical officer of health, COVID-19 boosters will be available to Yukoners aged 50 and older starting Monday, Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Ann McPhee announced Thursday afternoon in the legislature.

“A booster dose strengthens the immune system response when protection from a primary vaccine series shows signs of waning over time. Booster shots help those who may have a dip in their immune response to once again reach the highest protection from COVID-19.

“People are eligible for a booster when it has been at least six months since they completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine series.”

On Oct. 15, during the most recent COVID-19 briefing, Dr. Catherine Elliott said she was waiting on enough evidence to show the boosters were a good idea.

“Slowly, over time, our immune system starts to forget. And there has been evidence of waning immunity, or decreasing response, and it occurs quite a long ways out. Evidence is being built right now.

“What’s been shown with waning immunity internationally and in the studies that have been released is while the immunity wanes for infection, yet for severe outcomes it wanes much more slowly,” Elliott said that day.

“If we require a booster shot to keep community levels up, and that maybe the case, we are waiting for the guidance of the national advisory committee and I will make recommendations for Yukon accordingly.”

A news release which accompanied Thursday’s announcement said, “While priority is being made to Yukoners ages 50 and older, booster clinics may be expanded at a further date to include younger ages, once recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.”

Clinics will begin next week in Carcross, Watson Lake and Whitehorse.

Within the next six weeks, all other communities will have booster shot clinics.

Yukoners can also receive their first or second doses at these clinics. In Whitehorse, COVID-19 boosters will be offered at the Coast High Country Inn Convention Centre, and appointments can be made online.

“It is important that we take all the necessary steps needed to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect Yukoners across the territory,” said McPhee.

“COVID-19 boosters will help protect Yukoners who are at a higher risk of severe infection from COVID-19 and reduce the spread of the virus in our communities.

“Clinics will be held in each community, and there will be enough vaccine for everyone who meets the criteria to receive a COVID-19 booster,” added the minister.

“The most effective way to reduce the harms of the COVID-19 pandemic is to have the best vaccine protection possible,” Elliott added Thursday.

“This booster helps those who may have a dip in their immune response over time to once again reach the highest protection from COVID-19.

“This booster recommendation is the next step in our vaccine guidance that now includes the primary series of two doses for all who are eligible, three doses for those who are immunocompromised, and boosters for those in long-term care,” Elliott added. 

“If you are 50 or older, and it’s been six months since your second dose, do the right thing and get your booster shot.”

The Yukon Party and the NDP endorsed the announcement.

“We support making booster shots available to Yukoners aged 50 and up,” said Yukon Party health critic Brad Cathers.

“As members will recall, I wrote a letter to the government urging them to make booster shots available for senior citizens, and I have urged them to do that through motions in this assembly.

“A few provinces began making COVID-19 booster shots available to seniors earlier this fall, and the N.W.T. is offering boosters to anyone 75 and over,” Cathers noted.

“B.C. (on Wednesday) announced that everyone 12 and up will be able to receive a booster shot as of January 1. We urge the Yukon government to follow B.C.’s lead in this area.

“We would also urge government to make shots available to children five to 11 as soon as that is approved for use in Canada.”

Annie Blake of the NDP concurred.

“It is good to hear that COVID booster shots will now be made available to those 50 and over, starting next week,” she said.

“We seem to be well ahead of the curve, since only B.C. has announced making available boosters to the public starting in 2022.

“Yukon seniors in the extended care facilities have received their boosters, and we are thankful for that,” Blake added.

“We know that individuals who are more vulnerable, due to illness or organ transplants, have received their third vaccine.”

Despite this good news, Blake said, “I do have some questions and concerns that I am hoping the minister can address in her reply.

“Yukoners 50 and over will be grateful for the opportunity to begin to get their boosters. Do we know when the younger Yukoners will be able to get theirs too?”

See letter.