NACI Recommends Three COVID 19 Shots for Immunocompromised Children

NACI Recommends Three COVID 19 Shots for Immunocompromised Children
A health worker prepares a shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a community health center in Brasilia, Brazil, Jan. 16, 2022. AP/Eraldo Peres
The Canadian Press
Updated:

OTTAWA—The National Advisory Committee on Immunization now recommends immunocompromised kids between the ages of five and 11 be offered a third dose of an mRNA vaccine to protect them against COVID-19.

NACI says evidence shows that some moderately to severely immunocompromised people may have a reduced immune response to COVID-19 vaccines.

While there is no data on the safety or effectiveness of a third dose for children, NACI says studies have shown a better immune response in immunocompromised adults who get a third shot.

NACI has also upgraded its initial advice that kids aged five to 11-year-old “may” get two doses of a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Now that more data is available on the safety and effectiveness of the first two doses of the vaccine, NACI now recommends kids “should” get the shots.

NACI recommends a four to eight-week interval between doses, but says a longer interval will likely lead to longer-lasting protection.

By Laura Osman