The Yukon government is now recommending that Yukoners with higher risk of severe illness receive two COVID-19 vaccinations a year.
In an April 24 press release, YG said it is acting on the advice of the Yukon’s chief medical officer of health, and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.
Those who are eligible for the twice-per-year vaccination encompass multiple categories: people aged 6 months to 64 years who are moderately to severely immunocompromised due to an underlying condition or treatment; residents in long-term care homes and other congregate living settings for seniors; and adults 65 years or older.
The rationale is that these people are at greater risk of severe illness should they contract COVID-19.
According to the YG press release, vaccines are still being offered free of charge for everyone six months and older. Some pharmacies provide COVID-19 vaccines. People can also visit their local health centres. In Whitehorse, appointments can be booked in-person or over-the-phone at both the Whitehorse Health Centre at 9010 Quartz Road or the Whitehorse Health Centre NVD as the online booking system is expected to be under maintenance until May 25.
Only those who are at higher risk of severe illness are being offered two doses per year: those who don’t have any of the aforementioned risk factors can receive one dose per year if they are previously vaccinated, per the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.
Unvaccinated individuals who are not at higher risk of severe illness can be offered vaccines at any time during the year, whereas previously vaccinated individuals should refer to the territory in terms of the timing of the annual dose given factors such as availability and virus circulation patterns from previous years.
The minimum interval — meaning time since a previous dose — is 3 months.
Contact Talar Stockton at talar.stockton@yukon-news.com
