Message from the Surgeon General about the COVID-19 booster and the flu shot

October 24, 2022 - Defence Stories

COVID-19 still presents a risk of increased pressure on our health systems. We recently experienced a new wave of COVID in Canada as a result of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants, and this means we are still at risk of getting sick, especially with the onset of fall and the return of indoor activities.

The main reason for getting a COVID-19 booster is that most of us received our last dose in early 2022, more than 6 months ago. Getting a booster, even if you have previously recovered from a COVID-19 infection, re-establishes strong protection against future infections, community transmission, and serious illness. This additional protection will also help us maintain our operational efficiency both domestically and abroad.

The flu shot is also important

In addition to COVID-19, which will continue circulating this fall and winter, the viruses that cause the flu and other respiratory illnesses will also be circulating. It is even expected that this year’s flu season will be more severe than before the pandemic due to a relative reduction in our immunity to this virus. Following the recent easing of public health measures, I strongly recommend that all individuals who have no contraindications get the flu shot. This step will also help us maintain our operational capacity.

Receiving the flu and the COVID-19 vaccines at the same time protects against illnesses as effectively as when the vaccines are administered several days or weeks apart. There have been no reports of specific issues following the administration of these vaccines during the same vaccination appointment.

Is the “bivalent” COVID-19 booster more effective than the original booster?

New COVID vaccines are now available to better protect us against a number of variants of the virus, the original variant and the Omicron variants (hence the term “bivalent”). Bivalent vaccines provide a stronger, more targeted immune response against the COVID-19 variants that are currently circulating than the original COVID-19 vaccines.

However, the original mRNA COVID-19 vaccines continue to provide effective protection as a booster against serious consequences of COVID, such as hospitalization and death. Although the new bivalent vaccines are preferred for booster doses in Canada this Fall, original vaccines remain a valid and effective booster dose option to protect yourself and your community

When and where can members of the Canadian Armed Forces get the flu shot and the COVID booster?

Regular Force members can attend a flu shot and COVID-19 booster vaccination clinic through the Canadian Armed Forces Medical Centres.

Class A and Class B reservists under a short-term contract, as well as their families, can obtain the flu shot and the booster through their provincial healthcare system.

I encourage you to continue your efforts to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses. Enjoy the fall, and above all, be vigilant!

Major General Marc Bilodeau

Surgeon General, Canadian Armed Forces