Summary of NACI statement of May 3, 2024: Guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccines during the fall of 2024

Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada

Date published: 2024-05-03
Cat.: HP5-159/2-2024E-PDF
ISSN: 978-0-660-71364-9
Pub.: 240044

On this page

• Overview
• What you need to know
• Quotes

Overview

On May 3, 2024, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) released the National Advisory Committee on Immunization's (NACI) Guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccines during the fall of 2024. This guidance is based on current evidence and NACI expert opinion.

Beginning in the fall of 2024, NACI recommends the following for the use of the most recently updated COVID-19 vaccines:

• COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended for previously vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe COVID-19 disease as follows:
  • All adults 65 years of age or older
  • Those 6 months of age and older who are:
    • Residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings
    • Individuals with underlying medical conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19, including children with complex health needs
    • Individuals who are pregnant
    • Individuals in or from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities
    • Members of racialized and other equity-deserving communities
    • People who provide essential community services
• All other previously vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals (6 months of age and older) who are not at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe COVID-19 disease (i.e., not on the list above) may receive the most recently updated vaccine in the fall of 2024.
  • For previously vaccinated individuals, the recommended interval is 6 months from the last COVID-19 dose, with a minimum interval of 3 months from the last dose. This minimum interval will ensure that those who receive a spring 2024 dose (i.e., those at increased risk for severe disease) will be eligible again for an updated fall 2024 vaccine when it becomes available.

NACI will continue to monitor the evolving evidence and will update guidance as needed.

For the full statement, including supporting evidence and rationale, please see NACI's Guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccines during the fall of 2024.

What you need to know

• NACI is providing advice well in advance of fall 2024 to provide provinces and territories with sufficient time to plan their fall COVID-19 immunization programs. This is similar to how seasonal influenza vaccine guidance is provided to allow sufficient time to organize fall influenza immunization programs.
• While the seasonality of SARS-CoV-2 has not been established, based on previous years, COVID-19 activity is expected to be elevated during the fall and winter months.
• Getting an additional dose of a COVID-19 vaccine this fall is expected to increase individual protection against infection, symptoms, and severe disease from COVID-19 that has waned since a last COVID-19 vaccine dose or previous infection. This protection helps to reduce the strain of COVID-19 on the health care system while other seasonal viruses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are also circulating.
• Receiving the most recently updated COVID-19 vaccine (either an mRNA or protein subunit COVID-19 vaccine) is also expected to provide a better immune response against circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains compared to earlier vaccines and is especially important for those at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe COVID-19 illness.
• As of spring 2024, Omicron sublineages of SARS-CoV-2 continue to circulate in Canada and globally, particularly JN.1* group strains. The World Health Organization has recently recommended the use of a monovalent JN.1 lineage as the antigen in future formulations of COVID-19 vaccines. Recommendations will also be forthcoming from the United States Food and Drug Administration. The advice from both organizations will inform which products are available in Canada in the fall.
• In this Statement update, NACI is also updating and clarifying the number of doses recommended for different immunocompromised populations.
• Consistent with previous guidance, COVID-19 vaccines may be given concurrently (i.e., same day), or at any time before or after non-COVID-19 vaccines (including live and non-live vaccines).
• NACI continues to simplify COVID-19 vaccine recommendations where possible, balancing available scientific evidence, expert advice, and program considerations. While general recommendations support access to those who want to be vaccinated, tailored guidance can facilitate support and communication for individuals at high-risk.

For more information on NACI's recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines, please refer to the COVID-19 vaccines chapter in the Canadian Immunization Guide (CIG), as well as additional statements on the NACI web page.

Quotes

"With its most recent statement, NACI is providing guidance to facilitate fall vaccine program planning. The committee emphasizes the benefits of available vaccines for COVID-19 protection, and particularly for those most at risk of severe illness, as we know that protection against severe illness due to COVID-19 can wane over time. An updated COVID-19 vaccine formulation may also be available by the fall that would better target the currently circulating strains."

"I would like to thank NACI for providing this guidance to help plan for COVID-19 vaccine programs in the fall. Vaccination remains one of our most effective tools in protecting ourselves and our communities from COVID-19. With our experience from previous years, we know there is potential for increased impact of COVID-19 activity during the fall and winter months when other respiratory viruses such as influenza and RSV are circulating. An additional dose using the latest vaccine formulation, layered with personal protective practices, will continue to be important this fall to increase protection especially for those most at risk of COVID-19 infection or severe disease in our communities"