Trudeau Liberals to reassess ‘definition of fully vaccinated’

The comment came after a recommendation from Health Canada that seniors be given a booster shot. The recommendation, which was made on September 28, said that boosters for fully vaccinated nursing home residents would curb deaths. The panel also recommended that 1.6 million Canadians over the age of 80 be given a booster.

“For now the federal government, we are not looking at any changes at this time,” said top doctor Theresa Tam, telling reporters: “I am having continuous discussions with my colleagues, the other chief medical officers, in reviewing what the definition of fully vaccinated is as we’re going along.”

“We are not currently considering the need for the additional shot or booster for the definition of fully vaccinated for the purpose of federal requirements at this time, but of course we will keep reviewing the evidence,” Dr. Tam told reports.

Dr. Tam said there was no data suggesting most Canadians already vaccinated require a booster shot. “There is no evidence."

"Boosters for the general population are not required at this time," said Tam. "But the Committee on Immunization and the Public Health Agency and the provinces will monitor this vaccine effectiveness over time."

As of right now, Canada's definition of "fully vaccinated" is that you have: received the full series of a vaccine or a combination of vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada (Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty, Moderna Spikevax, AstraZeneca Vaxzevria/COVISHIELD, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson); and received your last dose at least" 14 days ago.