Snowbirds pinched by late change to COVID shot clock

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This article was published 04/12/2023 (728 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A snowbird who tried unsuccessfully to get a COVID booster shot three months after contracting the virus is cheering the province’s decision to shorten the post-infection vaccine interval.

The policy change reducing the interval from six months to three, announced by provincial chief medical officer Dr. Brent Roussin Thursday, didn’t come in time for retired engineer Tom Pearson.

Pearson and his wife were hoping to get boosted with the latest COVID shot when they got their flu vaccines at the end of September, before heading to their winter home in California.

Because of the six-month policy in effect in Manitoba at the time, they got their shots in California, at a cost of US$250 each.

“I was happy to see the change. For me, it could’ve been an avoided cost. I don’t expect people to feel sorry for us,” Pearson said.

“There’s probably a lot of snowbirds that haven’t left yet that can maybe get a shot now. The timing was unfortunate for us. It was costly, but I’d rather be healthy.”

The couple has been diligent about staying up to date on their vaccinations, but contracted COVID in June.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommended waiting six months between COVID boosters or six months post-infection for the best immune response, but noted there are no known safety risks to getting boosted after a more recent infection.

In its September guidelines ahead of Canada’s fall vaccine campaign, NACI suggested a shorter interval of three to six months could be followed. Those guidelines were issued in an addendum from NACI Sept. 12, before Pearson went to his local pharmacy at the end of that month.

Manitoba is one of the only provinces that has changed its post-infection vaccine interval, the province said Friday.

“The province heard concerns from Manitobans as well as health-care providers. While most jurisdictions in Canada still adhere to the six-month interval, Manitoba made the adjustment based on evolving epidemiology, current vaccine uptake as well as responding to concerns raised by Manitobans and health-care providers,” a spokesperson stated.

“The province provides the vaccination free of charge in Manitoba, but does not reimburse anyone who chooses to pay for the service outside of Manitoba.”

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca