Ask the Pharmacist

Q: I received an E-mail suggesting that I contact my pharmacy regarding the latest COVID-19 vaccine. Gordon Pharmasave was listed as a pharmacy that will be included in this round of vaccinations. Can you shed some light on what is new with COVID-19 and who should be receiving a vaccine this spring?

A: It has been more than four years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and though many would agree that the worst is over, we are still (and likely always will be) seeing COVID-19 cases circulating around.

As the virus continues to mutate, we are witnessing several variants that have evolved. A the beginning of 2024, we saw the COVID -19 variants BA.2.86 and JN.1 and currently, there are cousins of these variants that are finding there way across the country.

KP.2 is the variant of concern at the moment and is a subset of the JN.1 Omicron variant, as are KP.1 and KP.3. The latest variant has been nicknamed FLiRT based on the two mutations it witnessed. The amino acid phenylalanine (F) replaced leucine (L) and the amino acid arginine (R) is replaced by threonine (T). To make it sound like a known word, an “i” was inserted and thus, we have FLiRT.

Since the majority of the population has either been infected with, or vaccinated against, COVID-19, there is not as much concern with these variants as was in the beginning of the pandemic. Since the latest variants have been offshoots of the Omicron line, the latest vaccines, as well as COVID-19 infections, have been able to give us a fairly good immunity against it.

That being said, the elderly and the very young, and those people who are immuno-compromised, do need to remain diligent as has been the case all along. That explains the E-mails that many seniors have received suggesting they get a booster dose of the current XBB vaccine to give them that extra protection over the upcoming summer months.

Should we all be looking to get a booster dose this spring? Here is an excerpt from the Ontario Health website, explaining who should consider getting vaccinated:

”In alignment with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), individuals who are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 may receive an additional dose of an XBB COVID-19 vaccine in spring, 2024. The Ontario spring COVID-19 vaccine campaign will run from April to June, 2024. The Ministry of Health is recommending that the following individuals receive an additional dose this spring:
 

• Adults, age 65 and older
• Adult residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings for seniors
• Individuals, age six months and older who are moderately to severely immuno-compromised (due to an underlying condition or treatment)
• Individuals, age 55 and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Metis and their non-Indigenous household members who are 55 years and older

“Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine in spring, 2024, is particularly important for individuals at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 who did not receive a dose during the fall, 2023, program. Eligible individuals may receive an XBB COVID-19 vaccine in spring, 2024, if it has been six months from the previous COVID-19 vaccine dose or known SARS-CoV-2 infection (whichever is later). NACI notes that a shorter interval (three to under six months) can be used to support program implementation (including timing of the spring, 2024, campaign relative to previous and future fall campaigns).

All other individuals are not currently recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine dose in spring, 2024, and should wait until further Ontario Ministry of Health recommendations. This includes individuals who are not at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 who did not receive an XBB COVID-19 vaccine in fall, 2023, unless they are specifically recommended to receive a dose by their health-care provider."

So, according to the above, even if you missed out on the fall vaccination because you were sick with COVID-19 within three months, it is not recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine now unless you are age 65 and older, live in a congregated setting, are immuno-compromised or age 55 and older and identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Metis and their non-Indigenous household members who are age 55 and older.

We have had many phone calls from people looking to book an appointment for their COVID-19 vaccine as, apparently, we are listed as a participating pharmacy. Unfortunately, as in previous years, Gordon Pharmasave has opted out of the spring COVID-19 vaccination program.

To book your spring COVID-19 vaccine, Grey-Bruce Public Health is hosting a couple of clinics in the Grey-Bruce area and there are various pharmacies that are continuing to administer COVID-19 vaccines in the Grey-Bruce area as well.

For more information about this or any other health-related questions, contact the pharmacists at Gordon Pharmasave, Your Health and Wellness Destination. Also check the website at www.gordon-pharmasave.com/ and the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GordonPharmasave/