Summary of NACI statement of June 2026: Guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccines starting fall 2026
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Date published: June 2026
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Overview
In June 2026, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) released the National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s (NACI) Guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccines starting fall 2026. This guidance is based on current evidence and NACI expert opinion.
- NACI continues to strongly recommend COVID-19 immunization programs for individuals at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure or severe COVID-19 disease.
The following groups are considered at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure or severe COVID-19 disease:
- 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 for seniors;
- Individuals with underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19, including children with complex health needs;
- Pregnant women and pregnant individuals;
- Individuals in or from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities;
- Health care workers and other care providers in facilities and community settings; and
- Members of racialized and other equity-denied communities.
- NACI recommends that programs may also offer immunization to all other individuals 6 months of age and older.
- Individuals may choose to receive the vaccine based on individual COVID-19 risk assessment or preference.
Most populations are recommended to receive one dose per year. However, some populations continue to be recommended to receive a second dose per year because protection from COVID-19 vaccines decreases over time.
- NACI strongly recommends that a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine per year be offered to the following groups, at a minimum interval of 3 months from the previous dose:
- Adults 80 years of age or older;
- Residents of long-term care homes, as well as residents of other congregate living settings for seniors;
- Individuals 6 months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (due to an underlying condition or treatment); and
- Adults 65 to 79 years of age with underlying medical conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19.
- NACI recommends that programs may also offer a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine per year to all other adults 65 to 79 years of age, at a minimum interval of 3 months from the previous dose.
For the full statement please see: Guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccines starting fall 2026 (PDF).
What you need to know
- COVID-19 is a respiratory infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and can cause mild to severe illness, including hospitalization and death.
- COVID-19 vaccines provide good protection against severe illness and also reduce the risk of getting infected by SARS-CoV-2. Available evidence suggests that this protection wanes after about 4 to 6 months.
- Individuals can receive either an mRNA or protein subunit COVID-19 vaccine, based on age and vaccine availability. It is expected that COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be updated annually. When possible, the most recent COVID-19 vaccine produced by the manufacturer should be used.
- Risk for severe COVID-19 illness, including hospitalization and death, increases with age. NACI has recommended two doses of COVID-19 vaccine per year for those 80 years of age and over.
- Considering a recent cost-effectiveness analysis, NACI now also recommends COVID-19 vaccination twice per year for adults aged 65 to 79 years of age with underlying medical conditions.
- As with other vaccine programs, provinces and territories determine which populations will receive publicly funded COVID-19 vaccines based on several factors such as epidemiology, cost effectiveness, and feasibility of delivering the program. For those who are not included in COVID-19 programs funded by provinces and territories, vaccines may be made available for purchase through pharmacies.
- COVID-19 vaccines may be given concurrently or at any time before or after non-COVID-19 vaccines. Many Canadian jurisdictions continue to offer a combined fall immunization program for seasonal influenza and COVID-19. This approach offers efficiency but should consider the variable timing of SARS-CoV-2 peak seasonal activity since 2023, and the limited duration of vaccine-induced protection against COVID-19.
NACI will continue to monitor the evolving evidence and will update guidance as needed.
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