Archived 41: Interim guidance on planning considerations for a fall 2022 COVID-19 vaccine booster program in Canada [2022-06-29]

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Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada

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ISBN: 978-0-660-44231-0

Pub.: 220277

Published: 2022-06-29

Publication date: June 29, 2022

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Preamble

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is an External Advisory Body that provides the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) with independent, ongoing and timely medical, scientific, and public health advice in response to questions from PHAC relating to immunization.

In addition to burden of disease and vaccine characteristics, PHAC has expanded the mandate of NACI to include the systematic consideration of programmatic factors in developing evidence based recommendations to facilitate timely decision-making for publicly funded vaccine programs at provincial and territorial levels.

The additional factors to be systematically considered by NACI include: economics, ethics, equity, feasibility, and acceptability. Not all NACI statements will require in-depth analyses of all programmatic factors. While systematic consideration of programmatic factors will be conducted using evidence-informed tools to identify distinct issues that could impact decision-making for recommendation development, only distinct issues identified as being specific to the vaccine or vaccine-preventable disease will be included.

This statement contains NACI’s independent advice and recommendations, which are based upon the best current available scientific knowledge. This document is being disseminated for information purposes. People administering the vaccine should also be aware of the contents of the relevant product monograph. Recommendations for use and other information set out herein may differ from that set out in the product monographs of the Canadian manufacturers of the vaccines. Manufacturer(s) have sought approval of the vaccines and provided evidence as to its safety and efficacy only when it is used in accordance with the product monographs. NACI members and liaison members conduct themselves within the context of PHAC’s Policy on Conflict of Interest, including yearly declaration of potential conflict of interest.

Background

On April 5, 2022, NACI published initial guidance on a second booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines in Canada. The Statement mentioned the potential need for subsequent boosters in broader populations based on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 12, 2022, NACI also published updated guidance on a first booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines in Canada. Since that time:

  • The epidemiology of COVID-19 continues to change and there is still considerable uncertainty with regard to the likelihood, timing, and severity of any potential future COVID-19 wave. It is possible that, consistent with other respiratory viruses, incidence of COVID-19 may increase in the later fall and winter seasons and that new variants of concern (VOC) may emerge.
  • The current Omicron COVID-19 wave is declining nationally in Canada, with decreasing rates of hospitalizations and deaths. Nationally, the predominant Omicron sub-lineages continue to change, with BA.2 and BA.2.3 declining while the proportions of BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5 continue to growFootnote 1.
  • As of May 22, 2022, 86% of the population aged 5 years and older was vaccinated with a primary series. While the proportion of Canadians vaccinated with a primary series is high, the proportion who have received at least one additional dose has plateaued at a lower level, especially in the younger age groups. Vaccine coverage (particularly for the additional doses) increases with increasing age.
  • Hybrid immunity (i.e., protection due to vaccination and infection) has increased as many Canadians have now been infected with SARS-CoV-2. A national seroprevalence study of Canadian Blood Services donors (17 years of age and older) suggests that about 37% of individuals have infection-acquired antibodiesFootnote 2. Preliminary unpublished data show that about 50% of Canadian children aged less than 5 years have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, a seroprevalence rate similar or higher than older age groupsFootnote 3. When considering history of prior infection and/or vaccination, important differences by age group are observed. In general, while older adults are more likely to have been vaccinated, they are the least likely to have evidence of both vaccination and infection (i.e., hybrid immunity) among individuals 5 years of age and olderFootnote 2 Footnote 4.
  • Although the Omicron variant is associated with less severe illness compared to previous strains, it is partially evasive of immunity conferred by ancestral COVID-19 vaccines or by a previous infection with a SARS-CoV-2 variant prior to Omicron.
  • Preliminary evidence suggests infection- and/or vaccine-acquired immunity wanes over time, which supports administration of subsequent vaccine doses (especially in populations at high risk of severe disease and/or at high risk of poor immune responses to vaccination) to improve protection in case of increasing COVID-19 indicators (e.g., case incidence, test positivity, outbreaks, wastewater signals).
  • Some international jurisdictions have released interim guidance on forthcoming COVID-19 vaccination programs.

NACI continues to strongly recommend a primary series with an authorized mRNA vaccine in all authorized age groups. NACI also strongly recommends a booster dose for all adults, and for adolescents who are considered to be at high risk for severe disease. Immunization of those who are eligible for vaccination but have not yet received their recommended doses (primary or booster) remains a top priority in Canada. As with previous COVID-19 booster programs, a fall booster dose in advance of a potential future wave of COVID-19 will be most important for older adults and other populations at increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease, regardless of the number of booster doses previously received. Evidence to date suggests that while protection against symptomatic disease wanes over time, protection against severe disease is better maintained.

NACI continues to monitor the rapidly evolving scientific data while recognizing that the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic remains unclear. Updated recommendations will be made as needed.

NACI's recommendations remain aligned with the goals of the Canadian COVID-19 Pandemic Response that were updated on February 14, 2022:

  • To minimize serious illness and death while minimizing societal disruption as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • To transition away from the crisis phase towards a more sustainable approach to long term management of COVID-19

Methods

NACI's recommendations on booster doses are based on the decision-making framework outlined in the published statement entitled Interim guidance on booster COVID-19 vaccine doses in Canada. This framework has been updated with evolving evidence (e.g., including consideration of population level cumulative immunity and vaccine coverage) as outlined in Table 1. Recommendations are based on evidence of the need for (e.g., increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and/or increased risk of decreased protection, and waning protection due to increased time since last dose or infection) and benefit of (e.g., safety and effectiveness) booster doses in the Canadian context.

NACI also reviewed its original framework entitled Guidance on the prioritizing of key populations for COVID-19 immunization with a primary series when making these recommendations. NACI’s original prioritization framework was based on evidence of increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 as well as increased risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in the context of constrained vaccine supply. With the evolution of the pandemic, COVID-19 vaccination, and evidence since this original framework, NACI’s current recommendations for an additional booster dose focus on key populations at increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19.

On May 24, 2022, and June 7, 2022, NACI reviewed data on the current epidemiology of COVID-19, the level and duration of protection conferred by vaccine-induced immunity, SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced immunity and hybrid immunity (i.e., induced by vaccination and infection); as well as considered future multivalent COVID-19 vaccines.

NACI approved the following recommendations on June 22, 2022.

For further information on NACI's recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines, please refer to National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI): Statements and publications and the COVID-19 vaccine chapter in the Canadian Immunization Guide (CIG)

Further information on NACI’s process and procedures is available elsewhereFootnote 5Footnote 6.

Table 1. Underlying factorsFootnote * for consideration to determine the need for and benefit of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine in various populations
Underlying factorsFootnote * for consideration Evidence reviewed to determine the need for and benefit of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Risk-benefit analysis
  • Risk of severe illness and death
  • Risk of exposure (including access to Infection Prevention and Control [IPC] measures and healthcare)
  • Risk of transmission to vulnerable populations
  • Risk of societal disruption
  • Prevention of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) and post-COVID-19 condition (long COVID)
COVID-19 epidemic conditions
  • Circulation of SARS-CoV-2, VOCs
  • Breakthrough cases, outbreaks
  • Case rates and implications for healthcare capacity
Population level cumulative immunity and vaccine coverage
  • Previous vaccination (coverage, type, number of/interval between doses, time since last dose)
  • Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection
Vaccine types available and forecasted
  • Number and type of available vaccines
  • Forecasted vaccines (e.g., multivalent vaccines)
Vaccine characteristics in different groups against wild-type and VOCs
  • Duration of protection
  • Immunogenicity
  • Efficacy/effectiveness
  • Safety and reactogenicity of booster doses
Footnote *

based on evolving evidence

Return to footnote * referrer

Recommendations

NACI continues to strongly recommend that individuals in the authorized age groups should be immunized with a primary series of an authorized mRNA vaccine. NACI also continues to recommend a first and a second booster in some populations. NACI reiterates its recommendation on concurrent administration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines. For further information on previous guidance, please refer to the COVID-19 vaccine chapter in the Canadian Immunization Guide (CIG).

The likelihood, timing, and severity of a future wave of COVID-19 is uncertain; however, the later fall and winter months are expected to be associated with a resurgence of SARS-CoV-2 community transmission due to indoor and seasonal gatherings. Later fall and winter is also a time when the incidence rates of other respiratory diseases are elevated, which leads to increased pressure on health systems. NACI will continue to monitor the evidence (including SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology and available vaccine options) in the coming months to provide recommendations on the type and timing of vaccines for subsequent booster doses, as well as any updates to the following interim recommendations which are provided to assist with operational planning. At this time:

In addition to offering a primary series with a COVID-19 vaccine to individuals in all authorized age groups and booster dose(s) in eligible populations previously recommended by NACI, jurisdictions should plan for the following in advance of a possible future wave of COVID-19 in Canada:

  1. NACI recommends that individuals who are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19should be offered a fall COVID-19 vaccine booster doseFootnote * regardless of the number of booster doses previously received, including:
    • Older adults (≥65 years of age)
    • Residents of long-term care facilities or congregate living settings for seniors
    • Individuals 12 years of age and older with an underlying medical condition that places them at high risk of severe COVID-19Footnote **
    • Adults in or from First Nations, Métis, or Inuit communities, where infection can have disproportionate consequencesFootnote ***
    • Adults in racialized communities and/or marginalized communities (e.g. people living with disabilities) disproportionately affected by COVID-19
    • Residents of other congregate living settings (e.g., quarters for migrant workers, shelters, correctional facilities, group homes) who are 12 years of age and older

      (Strong NACI Recommendation)

  2. NACI recommends that all other individuals 12 to 64 years of agemay be offered a fall COVID-19 booster doseFootnote * regardless of the number of booster doses previously received. (Discretionary NACI Recommendation)
  3. NACI recommends that COVID-19 booster doses may be offered at an interval of 6 months since previous COVID-19 vaccine dose or SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, a shorter interval of at least 3 months may be warranted in the context of heightened epidemiologic risk, as well as operational considerations for the efficient deployment of the program. (Discretionary NACI Recommendation)
Footnote *

NACI will provide recommendations on the type of COVID-19 vaccine to be offered for this booster dose as evidence on multivalent vaccines becomes available.

Return to footnote * referrer

Footnote **

Individuals with an underlying medical condition that places them at high risk of severe COVID-19 may include: those with cardiac or pulmonary disorders, diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases, cancer, immune compromising conditions (due to underlying disease, therapy, or both, such as solid organ transplant or hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients), renal disease, anemia or hemoglobinopathy, neurologic or neurodevelopmental conditions, Class 3 obesity (BMI of 40 and over), those who are pregnant. A range of factors can impact the relative risk of severe COVID-19 and response to COVID-19 vaccines, and clinical and public health judgement should be applied.

Return to footnote ** referrer

Footnote ***

Autonomous decisions should be made by Indigenous Peoples with the support of healthcare and public health partners in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Return to footnote *** referrer

  • If adults (≥18 years) or high risk adolescents (12-17 years) have not yet received a first booster dose by the fall of 2022, NACI continues to strongly recommend that a first booster dose be offered.
  • For all currently vaccine eligible individuals (i.e., aged 5 years and older), concurrent administration of other vaccines (e.g., seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine) and any dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is acceptable and may increase program efficiency.
  • Although Omicron is the variant predominantly circulating in Canada at the time of writing, the timing of a potential new variant or wave of COVID-19, and its characteristics (e.g., transmission, virulence, vaccine escape) cannot be reliably predicted. Given the uncertainties, the planning of a forthcoming COVID-19 booster program should include sufficient resilience and flexibility (e.g., emerging epidemiological trends may alter the timing of an upcoming booster program, triggering an earlier or later roll-out than currently anticipated). Timely, close and ongoing monitoring and assessment of national and international data will be required to ensure adaptability of response.
  • There may be variability in how each province, territory and community assesses risk and responds to the needs of their respective jurisdictions. Underlying factors to consider are listed in Table 1.

Summary of evidence

Evolving epidemiology and vaccine coverage

  • Cases of COVID-19, including associated hospitalizations and deaths, are currently declining in Canada. However, the likelihood, timing, and severity of a future wave of COVID-19 is uncertain. It is possible that consistent with other respiratory viruses, incidence of COVID-19 will increase in the later fall and winter seasons thus posing a risk for individuals/communities and increasing pressure on health systems.
  • Data from Canadian Blood Services (donors aged 17 years and older) suggest that about 37% of Canadians were infected with SARS-CoV-2 by the end of April 2022 with variation by jurisdiction and higher infection rates among children, young adults, racialized communities and those residing in lower-income neighborhoodsFootnote 7. Preliminary unpublished data suggest that seroprevalence in individuals less than 17 years of age is higher compared to older age groupsFootnote 3 Footnote 8.
  • The evolution of seroprevalence rates over time suggests that the majority of infected individuals were infected by the Omicron variant.
  • Regardless of vaccination status, age remains the greatest risk factor for severe outcomes of COVID-19.
  • As of May 22, 2022, 86% of the population aged 5 years and older had been vaccinated with a primary series, 59% of the population aged 18 years and older had received an additional dose or booster, and 40% of the population aged 80 years and older had received two additional dosesFootnote 9. While the proportion of Canadians vaccinated with a primary series was high, the proportion who had received at least one booster had plateaued at a relatively lower level. Vaccine coverage (especially for additional doses) increased with increasing age.

Hybrid immunity

  • Available evidence shows that hybrid immunity is more robust than immunity due to infection or vaccination alone. The duration of protection from hybrid immunity has not yet been fully characterized, and it is unclear whether hybrid immunity will continue to provide strong protection against some Omicron sub-lineages (e.g. BA.4, BA.5) or potential new variantsFootnote 2 Footnote 10Footnote 11Footnote 12 Footnote 13Footnote 14Footnote 15Footnote 16.
  • Hybrid immunity resulting from three or more exposures to the virus antigen (i.e., ≥1 exposure[s] from vaccination and ≥1 exposure[s] from SARS-CoV-2 infection before or after vaccination) may provide superior protection (as measured by neutralization capacity) against VOCs, including Omicron, compared with primary vaccination only, or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection without vaccinationFootnote 16.
  • Preliminary unpublished data from Quebec healthcare workers (mostly aged 60 years and younger) indicate that protection against Omicron BA.2 conferred by prior infection (with or without vaccination) is higher following prior infection with Omicron BA.1 compared to prior infection with pre-Omicron strainsFootnote 12. The protection against Omicron BA.2 conferred by a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection was increased by vaccination with 1 and 2 doses but did not seem to increase with a third dose. At about 4 months (132 days) of follow up, protection against Omicron BA.2 reinfection was 72% in individuals with prior BA.1 infection without vaccination and 96-97% among those with Omicron BA.1 infection and vaccination with 2 or 3 doses.
  • Emerging Canadian evidence suggests that the proportion of the Canadian population that are infected and/or vaccinated varies by age. A large proportion of elderly adults are protected by vaccination but not by hybrid immunity. On the other hand, a large proportion of infants and young adults have been infected but not vaccinated. About 50% of children aged less than 5 years have been infected but not vaccinated as no vaccine has been authorized in this age group to date; this proportion may vary by jurisdiction. Adolescents and young adults have the highest proportion of individuals that have been both vaccinated and infected with SARS-CoV-2. However data have yet to be published and should be considered preliminary at this timeFootnote 3.
  • It is expected that individuals who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 may optimize their benefit from future vaccine doses by timing them according to the time since infection, using similar immunological principles to those informing intervals between vaccine doses. Emerging evidence indicates that a longer interval between SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination is associated with improved immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines.

Vaccine effectiveness (VE) and duration of protection following a first or second booster dose

  • Current data suggest that COVID-19 vaccines offer higher protection against hospitalization and severe disease than against infection, and they offer reduced protection against Omicron compared to ancestral strain and previous VOCs. VE against severe disease with Omicron infection is approximately 90% shortly after a first booster dose and remains above 75% in most studies, up to 20 weeks from the first boosterFootnote 17 Footnote 18 Footnote 19 Footnote 20. VE against Omicron infection and/or symptomatic disease from a first booster of mRNA vaccine is approximately 60% shortly after the dose and decreases over time since vaccination in most studiesFootnote 17 Footnote 18 Footnote 19 Footnote 20 Footnote 21Footnote 22Footnote 23Footnote 24.
  • Evidence on second booster VE is limited and has mainly been assessed as a relative benefit compared to the first boosterFootnote 25 Footnote 26Footnote 27Footnote 28 Footnote 29. Preliminary data indicates that a second booster dose provides additional protection compared to a first booster, including against severe disease. The duration of protection is currently unknownFootnote 28.
  • Longer intervals between doses have been shown to result in a stronger and more durable immune responseFootnote 30 Footnote 31 and somewhat better VE than shorter intervalsFootnote 30 Footnote 32Footnote 33. A longer interval between doses provides the opportunity for antibody levels to wane, which may result in a more robust immune memory response after the next dose, as it allows time for the immune response to mature in both breadth and strength.
  • The absolute benefit of a booster will depend on the residual protection from previous vaccine doses/infection and on the level of circulating disease in the community.

Safety

  • Overall, from both Canadian and International safety surveillance data, mRNA COVID-19 vaccine reactogenicity for first and second booster doses is comparable to the reactogenicity of the primary seriesFootnote 25 Footnote 34Footnote 35Footnote 36Footnote 37Footnote 38Footnote 39 Footnote 40 Footnote 41Footnote 42. Booster doses were well tolerated and no new safety signal was identified. However, second booster doses have generally been administered in specific populations (e.g., LTC residents, older adults) or in small groups, therefore evidence of their safety is currently limited. The risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis following the first booster dose was lower compared to dose 2 of the primary series, which is consistent with lower risk due to extended intervals between dosesFootnote 39 Footnote 40 Footnote 43. The risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis associated with additional doses is currently unknown.
  • Evidence monitoring is ongoing on the safety of additional doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

Ethics, equity, feasibility, and acceptability (EEFA)

  • In the face of uncertainty about how the pandemic will evolve, NACI based its recommendations on an evidence-informed framework and recommends booster doses to those at greatest risk of serious harms to avoid preventable morbidity and mortality.
  • Planning vaccination ahead of a future wave of COVID-19 could facilitate access to vaccines, reduce inequities, and decrease the burden on healthcare systems.
  • Intentions to accept COVID-19 booster doses have decreased between late 2021 and early 2022 in Canada, especially among younger age groups. It is possible that acceptability will increase if cases of COVID-19 increase or if new vaccines (e.g., bivalent or multivalent products targeting VOCs) are offeredFootnote 44.
  • Public health and health care providers have considerable experience with efficient, rapid, large scale vaccination campaigns which can be used as the foundation for rapid implementation of booster doses for populations such as residents of LTC homes and seniors living in other congregate settings who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • NACI continues to recommend the following elements to guide ethical decision-making, as outlined in NACI's guidance on the Prioritization of Key Populations for COVID-19 Immunization:
    • Efforts should be made to increase access to immunization services to reduce health inequities without further stigmatization or discrimination, and to engage systemically marginalized populations and racialized populations in immunization program planning.
    • Jurisdictions should ensure close and rapid monitoring of safety, coverage and effectiveness of the vaccines in different key populations, as well as effective and efficient immunization of populations in hard to reach, remote and isolated communities.
    • Efforts should be made to improve knowledge about the benefits of vaccines in general, including COVID-19 vaccines as each becomes available, address misinformation, and communicate transparently about COVID-19 vaccine allocation decisions.
    • NACI continues to emphasize the importance of completing a primary series of vaccines.

Other considerations

  • Manufacturers are working on new COVID-19 vaccines, including multivalent vaccines and vaccines specifically targeting VOCs, although their exact characteristics and timing of availability in Canada are not yet known. Preliminary data suggests that the Moderna (50mcg) Omicron-containing bivalent booster candidate (mRNA-1273.214) demonstrates superior antibody response against Omicron, and non-inferior antibody responses against the ancestral strain, compared to the original mRNA-1273 (50 mcg) vaccineFootnote 45. The mRNA-1273.214 (50mcg) booster dose was generally well-tolerated and its safety and reactogenicity profile was similar to the mRNA-1273 (50 mcg) dose when administered as a second booster dose.
  • Maximizing the benefit of protection of a booster dose may be affected by the interval between doses. Longer time between doses may result in a better response after any subsequent dose, as this allows time for the immune response to mature in breadth and strength. A longer interval may, however, also increase the chance of a period with waning (lower) protection while awaiting a next dose.
  • As protection against infection and severe disease is highest soon after vaccine administration, vaccination at a time of low disease incidence may have limited benefit, particularly if there is an extended period of time before the next wave of COVID-19.

Research priorities

  1. Continuous monitoring of data on the safety, immunogenicity, efficacy, and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, including booster doses, through clinical trials and studies in real-world settings, including the degree and duration of protection conferred by each booster dose against circulating variants. The research should also consider the clinical implications of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection; repeated immunization; and outcomes after any infection such as MIS-C, post-COVID-19 condition (long COVID), or infection-induced myocarditis or pericarditis in adult, adolescent, and pediatric populations.
  2. Further evaluations of the optimal interval between booster dose administration, as well as further evaluations of the optimal interval between previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine dose administration.
  3. Vigilant monitoring and reporting of adverse events of special interest, including myocarditis and pericarditis, in order to accurately inform potential risks associated with a future booster. Global collaboration should be prioritized to enable data sharing so decision makers around the world can weigh benefits and risks of additional booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
  4. Continuous monitoring of COVID-19 epidemiology and VE in special populations at high risk of severe outcomes or long-term consequences of COVID-19 disease.
  5. Further evaluation on the optimal timing and trigger for the initiation of potential future booster dose recommendations, as well as evaluation of potential risks associated with providing booster doses earlier than necessary.
  6. Continuous monitoring of vaccine uptake in the Canadian population, particularly in the context of subsequent booster doses and including consideration of measures that may reduce the risk of disparities in vaccine confidence and uptake.
Table 2. Strength of NACI Recommendations
Strength of NACI recommendation
based on factors not isolated to strength of evidence (e.g., public health need)
Strong Discretionary
Wording should/should not be offered” may/may not be offered”
Rationale

Known/anticipated advantages outweigh known/anticipated disadvantages (“should”),

or Known/Anticipated disadvantages outweigh known/anticipated advantages (“should not”)

Known/anticipated advantages are closely balanced with known/anticipated disadvantages, or uncertainty in the evidence of advantages and disadvantages exists
Implication A strong recommendation applies to most populations/individuals and should be followed unless a clear and compelling rationale for an alternative approach is present. A discretionary recommendation may be considered for some populations/individuals in some circumstances. Alternative approaches may be reasonable.

Acknowledgments

This statement was prepared by: J Zafack, SJ Ismail, A Nunn, H Birdi, R Krishnan, N Forbes, MC Tunis, M Salvadori, R Harrison, and S Deeks, on behalf of NACI.

NACI gratefully acknowledges the contribution of: K Ramotar, N St-Pierre, and E Tarrataca.

NACI members: S Deeks (Chair), R Harrison (Vice-Chair), M Andrew, J Bettinger, N Brousseau, H Decaluwe, P De Wals, E Dubé, V Dubey, K Hildebrand, K Klein, M O’Driscoll, J Papenburg, A Pham-Huy, B Sander, and S Wilson.

Liaison representatives: L Bill (Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association), LM Bucci (Canadian Public Health Association), E Castillo (Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada), A Cohn (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States), J Comeau (Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Control), L Dupuis (Canadian Nurses Association), E Adams (Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada), J Hu (College of Family Physicians of Canada), M Lavoie (Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health), D Moore (Canadian Paediatric Society), M Naus (Canadian Immunization Committee), and A Ung (Canadian Pharmacists Association).

Ex-officio representatives: V Beswick-Escanlar (National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces), E Henry (Centre for Immunization and Respiratory Infectious Diseases (CIRID), PHAC), M Lacroix (Public Health Ethics Consultative Group, PHAC), C Lourenco (Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Canada), D MacDonald (COVID-19 Epidemiology and Surveillance, PHAC), S Ogunnaike-Cooke (CIRID, PHAC), K Robinson (Marketed Health Products Directorate, HC), G Poliquin (National Microbiology Laboratory, PHAC), and T Wong (First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Indigenous Services Canada).

NACI High Consequence Infectious Disease Working Group

Members: R Harrison (Chair), N Brousseau, Y-G Bui, S Deeks, K Dooling, K Hildebrand, M Miller, and J Papenburg.

PHAC participants: NK Abraham, N Alluqmani, L Coward, N Forbes, C Jensen, CY Jeong, A Killikelly, R Krishnan, SH Lim, N Mohamed, J Montroy, A Nam, S Pierre, R Pless, M Salvadori, A Sinilaite, A Stevens, E Tice, A Tuite, MC Tunis, E Wong, R Ximenes, MW Yeung, J Zafack.

References

Footnote 1

COVID-19 epidemiology update [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Public Health Agency of Canada; 2022 Jun 17 [cited 2022 Jun 23]. Available from: https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/.

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Footnote 2

June 2022 CITF Monthly Review [Internet]. Montreal (QC): COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF); 2022 Jun [cited 2022 Jun 21]. Available from: https://www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CITF_Monthly-report_06-2022_EN-HR.pdf.

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Footnote 3

COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF). Personal communication. Vaccine strategies in an era of hybrid immunity. 2022 June 3.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 4

Nearly 40% of Canadian adults have had an Omicron infection: Canadian Blood Services [Internet]. Montreal (QC): COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF); 2022 Jun 7 [cited 2022 Jun 21]. Available from: https://www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca/nearly-40-of-canadian-adults-have-had-an-omicron-infection-canadian-blood-services/.

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Footnote 5

Ismail SJ, Langley JM, Harris TM, Warshawsky BF, Desai S, FarhangMehr M. Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI): Evidence-based decision-making on vaccines and immunization. Vaccine. 2010;28:A58,63. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.02.035.

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Footnote 6

Ismail SJ, Hardy K, Tunis MC, Young K, Sicard N, Quach C. A framework for the systematic consideration of ethics, equity, feasibility, and acceptability in vaccine program recommendations. Vaccine. 2020 Aug 10;38(36):5861,5876. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.05.051.

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Footnote 7

COVID-19 Seroprevalence Report April 2022 Survey. COVID-19 Seroprevalence Report April 2022 Survey [Internet]. Montreal (QC): COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF); 2022 Jun 3 [cited 2022 Jun 21]. Available from: https://www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/covid-19-full-report-apr-2022-june-3-2022.pdf

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Footnote 8

Skowronski D. Personal communication. SARS-CoV-2 sero-prevalence and vaccine effectiveness (VE) update: focus on children 5-11 years, British Columbia. 2022 May 30.

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Footnote 9

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). COVID-19 vaccination in Canada. Data cut-off May 30, 2022 [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Government of Canada; 2022 May 30 [cited 2022 Jun 21]. Available from: https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/vaccination-coverage/.

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Footnote 10

Interim statement on the use of additional booster doses of Emergency Use Listed mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 [Internet]. Geneva (CH): World Health Organization (WHO); 2022 May 17 [cited 2022 Jun 21]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/17-05-2022-interim-statement-on-the-use-of-additional-booster-doses-of-emergency-use-listed-mrna-vaccines-against-covid-19.

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Footnote 11

Moore SC, Kronsteiner B, Longet S, Adele S, Deeks AS, Liu C, et al. Evolution of long-term hybrid immunity in healthcare workers after different COVID-19 vaccination regimens: a longitudinal observational cohort study. medRxiv. 2022 Jun 14. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.06.06.22275865.

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Footnote 12

Carazo S, Skowronski DM, Brisson M, Barkati S, Sauvageau C, Brousseau N, et al. Protection against Omicron BA.2 reinfection conferred by primary Omicron or pre-Omicron infection with and without mRNA vaccination. medRxiv. 2022 Jun 27. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.06.23.22276824.

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Footnote 13

Altarawneh HN, Chemaitelly H, Ayoub HH, Tang P, Hasan MR, Yassine HM, et al. Effect of prior infection, vaccination, and hybrid immunity against symptomatic BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron infections and severe COVID-19 in Qatar. medRxiv. 2022 Mar 22. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.03.22.22272745.

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Footnote 14

Suarez Castillo M, Khaoua H, Courtejoie N. Vaccine-induced and naturally-acquired protection against Omicron and Delta symptomatic infection and severe COVID-19 outcomes, France, December 2021 to January 2022. Euro Surveill. 2022 Apr;27(16):2200250. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.16.2200250.

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Footnote 15

Cerqueira-Silva T, de Araujo Oliveira V, Paixão ES, Florentino PTV, Penna GO, Pearce N, et al. Vaccination plus previous infection: protection during the omicron wave in Brazil. Lancet Infect Dis. 2022 May 16. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00288-2.

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Footnote 16

Wratil PR, Stern M, Priller A, Willmann A, Almanzar G, Vogel E, et al. Three exposures to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 by either infection or vaccination elicit superior neutralizing immunity to all variants of concern. Nat Med. 2022 Mar;28(3):496,503. doi: 10.1038/s41591-022-01715-4.

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Footnote 17

Ferdinands JM, Rao S, Dixon BE, Mitchell PK, DeSilva MB, Irving SA, et al. Waning 2-Dose and 3-Dose Effectiveness of mRNA Vaccines Against COVID-19-Associated Emergency Department and Urgent Care Encounters and Hospitalizations Among Adults During Periods of Delta and Omicron Variant Predominance - VISION Network, 10 States, August 2021-January 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022 Feb 18;71(7):255,263. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7107e2.

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Footnote 18

Stowe J, Andrews N, Kirsebom F, Ramsay M, Bernal JL. Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against Omicron and Delta hospitalisation: test negative case-control study. Knowledge Hub. 2022 Mar 24. https://khub.net/documents/135939561/430986542/Effectiveness+of+COVID-19+vaccines+against+Omicron+and+Delta+hospitalisation+-+test+negative+case-control+study.pdf/d0e803c0-3dd2-0c1b-03b8-0a12fd211980.

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Footnote 19

Skowronski D. Update on two- and three-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness, British Columbia [video presentation containing slides presented at BCCDC GRAND ROUNDS SERIES] [Internet]. British Columbia: BC CDC; 2022 Feb 15 [cited 2022 Jun 21]. Available from: https://nexuswebcast.mediasite.com/mediasite/Showcase/bc-cdc-showcase/Presentation/9a0df1fd7fe340eeb3b2a8ee764901131d.

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Footnote 20

Chemaitelly H, Ayoub HH, AlMukdad S, Coyle P, Tang P, Yassine HM, et al. Duration of mRNA vaccine protection against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 subvariants in Qatar. Nat Commun. 2022 Jun 2;13(1):30822. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-30895-3.

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Footnote 21

De Serres G, Febriani Y, Ouakki M, Talbot D, Gilca R, Deceuninck G, et al. Efficacité du vaccin contre la COVID-19 causée par le variant Omicron au Québec Résultats Préliminaires. INSPQ. 2022 Feb 16. https://www.inspq.qc.ca/covid-19/vaccination/efficacite-omicron.

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Footnote 22

Šmíd M, Berec L, Přibylová L, Májek O, Pavlík T, Jarkovský J, et al. Protection by vaccines and previous infection against the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. J Infect Dis. 2022 Apr 28. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiac161.

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Footnote 23

Tseng HF, Ackerson BK, Luo Y, Sy LS, Talarico CA, Tian Y, et al. Effectiveness of mRNA-1273 against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta variants. Nat Med. 2022 May;28(5):1063,1071. doi:10.1038/s41591-022-01753-y.

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Footnote 24

Gram MA, Emborg H, Schelde AB, Friis NU, Nielsen KF, Moustsen-Helms I, et al. Vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related hospitalization with the Alpha, Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants: a nationwide Danish cohort study. medRxiv. 2022 Apr 20. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.04.20.22274061.

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Footnote 25

Regev-Yochay G, Gonen T, Gilboa M, Mandelboim M, Indenbaum V, Amit S, et al. 4th Dose COVID mRNA Vaccines’ Immunogenicity & Efficacy Against Omicron VOC. medRxiv. 2022 Feb 15. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.02.15.22270948.

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Footnote 26

Bar-On Y, Goldberg Y, Mandel M, Bodenheimer O, Amir O, Freedman L, et al. Protection by 4th dose of BNT162b2 against Omicron in Israel. medRxiv. 2022 Feb 1. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.02.01.22270232.

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Footnote 27

27. Kwong J. Personal communication. Updated 12-17 and LTC VE analysis. 2022 Mar 21.

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Footnote 28

Gazit S, Saciuk Y, Perez G, Peretz A, Pitzer VE, Patalon T. Relative Effectiveness of Four Doses Compared to Three Dose of the BNT162b2 Vaccine in Israel. medRxiv. 2022 Mar 24. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.03.24.22272835.

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Footnote 29

Arbel R, Sergienko R, Friger M, Peretz A, Beckenstein T, Yaron S, et al. Second Booster Vaccine and Covid-19 Mortality in Adults 60 to 100 Years Old. Research Square. 2022 Mar 24. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1478439/v1.

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Footnote 30

Amirthalingam G, Bernal JL, Andrews NJ, Whitaker H, Gower C, Stowe J, et al. Serological responses and vaccine effectiveness for extended COVID-19 vaccine schedules in England. Nature Communications. 2021 Dec 10;12(1):7217. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27410-5.

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Footnote 31

Ireland G, Whitaker H, Ladhani SN, Baawuah F, Subbarao V, Linley E, et al. Serological responses to COVID-19 booster vaccine in England. medRxiv. 2021 Nov 24. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.11.22.21266692.

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Footnote 32

Hulme WJ, Williamson EJ, Horne E, Green A, Nab L, Keogh R, et al. Effectiveness of BNT162b2 booster doses in England: an observational study in OpenSAFELY-TPP. medRxiv. 2022 Jun 06. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.06.06.22276026.

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Footnote 33

Skowronski DM, Setayeshgar S, Febriani Y, Ouakki M, Zou M, Talbot D, et al. Two-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness with mixed schedules and extended dosing intervals: test-negative design studies from British Columbia and Quebec, Canada. medRxiv. 2021 Oct 26. doi: 10.1101/2021.10.26.21265397.

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Footnote 34

Public Health Agency of Canada. Reported side effects following COVID-19 vaccination in Canada. Data cut-off May 30, 2022 [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Government of Canada; 2022 May 30 [cited 2022 Jun 21]. Available from: https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/vaccine-safety/.

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Footnote 35

Israel Ministry of Health. Personal communication. 2022 Feb 9.

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Footnote 36

Wilson S. Personal communication. Ontario AEFI data after 4th doses [containing slides titled AEFI Dose 4 Feb 13 2022 for NACI.pptx]. 2022 Feb 25.

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Footnote 37

Moreira ED,Jr, Kitchin N, Xu X, Dychter SS, Lockhart S, Gurtman A, et al. Safety and Efficacy of a Third Dose of BNT162b2 Covid-19 Vaccine. N Engl J Med. 2022 Mar 23. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2200674.

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Footnote 38

Weekly summary: adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) for COVID-19 in Ontario: December 13, 2020 to March 27, 2022. Data cut-off Mar 27, 2022 [Internet]. Toronto (ON): Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2022 Mar 27 [cited 2022 Apr 1]. Available from: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Documents/nCoV/epi/covid-19-aefi-report.pdf?sc_lang=en.

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Footnote 39

Hause AM, Baggs J, Marquez P, Abara WE, Olubajo B, Myers TR, et al. Safety Monitoring of COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses Among Persons Aged 12-17 Years - United States, December 9, 2021-February 20, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022 Mar 4;71(9):347,351. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7109e2.

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Footnote 40

Hause AM, Baggs J, Marquez P, Myers TR, Su JR, Blanc PG, et al. Safety Monitoring of COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses Among Adults - United States, September 22, 2021-February 6, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022 Feb 18;71(7):249,254. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7107e1.

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Footnote 41

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Coronavirus vaccine - weekly summary of Yellow Card reporting. Data cut-off April 4, 2022 [Internet]. London (UK): Department of Health and Social Care; 2022 Apr 4 [cited 2022 Apr 4]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reporting.

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Footnote 42

Patone M, Mei XW, Handunnetthi L, Dixon S, Zaccardi F, Shankar-Hari M, et al. Risk of myocarditis following sequential COVID-19 vaccinations by age and sex. medRxiv. 2021 Dec 25. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.12.23.21268276.

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Footnote 43

Shimabukuro T. Update on mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Post Authorization Safety Assessment in Pediatric Age Groups: Presentation for the 174th Meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products June 14-15, 2022 [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA); 2022 Jun 14 [cited 2022 Jun 23]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbNpaZeDPiA.

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Footnote 44

COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring (COSMO Canada) [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Government of Canada; 2022 [cited 2022 Jun 22]. Available from: https://impact.canada.ca/en/cosmo-canada.

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Footnote 45

Moderna Announces Omicron-Containing Bivalent Booster Candidate mRNA-1273.214 Demonstrates Superior Antibody Response Against Omicron [Internet]. Cambridge (MA): Moderna; 2022 Jun 8 [cited 2022 Jun 21]. Available from: https://investors.modernatx.com/news/news-details/2022/Moderna-Announces-Omicron-Containing-Bivalent-Booster-Candidate-mRNA-1273.214-Demonstrates-Superior-Antibody-Response-Against-Omicron/default.aspx.

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