COVID-19 vaccine update: Immunocompromised individuals aged 12 to 17 eligible for second booster dose AND Moderna Spikevax vaccine available for children aged 6 months to 5 years
Advisory Alert
July 27, 2022
*Cette information est seulement disponible en anglais.
To: Local Health System Partners
FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
This advisory alert highlights updates to the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Recommendations and COVID-19 Vaccine Administration guidance. Included below is information regarding the expanded eligibility for second booster doses for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals aged 12 to 17 years of age, new information regarding the use of Moderna (25mcg) COVID-19 vaccine for children six months to five years of age (and 5 years with consent), and updated information pertaining to co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines.
Eligibility to receive second booster dose (i.e., fifth dose) for specific moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals
Provincial guidance has been updated to note that all individuals who are 12+ who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are recommended to receive a second booster dose. This means that the second booster dose for immunocompromised individuals will be their fifth dose.
For those 12 to 17 years of age, a dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID19 vaccine is recommended at an interval of 6 months (168 days) following their first booster dose. This interval may be associated with a lower risk of myocarditis with or without pericarditis. With informed consent these individuals may receive a second booster dose at a minimum interval of 3 months (84 days) after their first booster dose. Based on clinical discretion, Moderna Spikevax 100 mcg dose may be considered instead of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
For those 18 years of age and older, a dose of an mRNA vaccine is recommended at an interval of 5 months (140 days) with a minimum interval of 3 months (84 days) after their first booster dose.
Please note that eligible individuals can book their second booster (fifth dose) with a Public Health led clinic by calling 705.522.9200 (toll-free: 1.866.522.9200). The call centre is open Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and is closed on statutory holidays. Booking online through the provincial portal is not yet available.
Alternatively, clients can present to a Public Health led clinic as a walk-in. For a list of available walk-in clinics visit our website at Public Health Sudbury & Districts – Vaccination clinics for COVID-19 (phsd.ca). Clients can also seek opportunities for vaccination through participating primary care providers or local pharmacies.
Moderna (Spikevax) COVID-19 Vaccine now available for children 6 months to under 5 years of age
Effective Thursday, July 28, children 6 months to 5 years of age will be eligible to receive their first dose of the Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine. The Moderna Spikevax vaccine will be made available to children 6 months to under 5 years of age. The Ontario Ministry of Health has made a preferential recommendation for the use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 5-29 years of age, however, with informed consent, Moderna Spikevax may be offered to children 5 years of age. Vaccination of this age group is by appointment only with clinics beginning the afternoon of July 28. Future clinic dates and times for this age group will be added to our website at Public Health Sudbury & Districts – Vaccination clinics for COVID-19 (phsd.ca).
Real world evidence shows that in older age groups, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna Spikevax and Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty) are highly effective at preventing serious COVID-19 outcomes such as severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Studies show that the Moderna Spikevax vaccine for children aged 6 months to 5 years protects against symptomatic disease consistent with the protection from the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine among children 5 to 11 years of age. The Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine was well tolerated in children 6 months to 5 years of age with no safety signals reported. The benefits of getting vaccinated and being protected against COVID-19 far outweigh the risk of any side effects from the vaccine.
A primary series of two doses of Moderna Spikevax (25 mcg) COVID19 vaccine may be offered to children 6 months to under 5 years of age who do not have contraindications to the vaccine, with a recommended interval of 8 weeks between first and second doses. If the child is immunocompromised, they should complete a three dose primary series.
For vaccine clinics for children under 5 years of age, Public Health currently offers the Moderna Spikevax (25 mcg) COVID-19 vaccine only. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for this age group is currently with Health Canada for approval. Pending approval, this vaccine product may be available in future Public Health clinics
Should you wish to order Moderna Spikevax (25mcg) COVID-19 vaccine for your six months to under five clients, ordering is now open with initial delivery available as early as the week of August 2. To order, and/or request an onboarding to COVaxON refresher, please contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts at vaccineorder@phsd.ca.
Updated co-administration guidance
NACI recommends that for individuals 5 years of age and older, COVID-19 vaccines may be given simultaneously with (i.e. same day), or at any time before or after non-COVID-19 vaccines (including live and non-live vaccines). At this time, Moderna Spikevax (25mcg) COVID-19 vaccine for ages 6 months to 5 years of age, should not be given concurrently with other vaccines but rather should be provided either 14 days before or after a different vaccine. This will assist with determining if a potential side effect is due to the Moderna Spikevax (25 mcg) COVID-19 vaccine or a different vaccine. A shorter interval between the administration of Moderna Spikevax (25mcg) COVID-19 vaccine may be warranted in some circumstances at the discretion of the health care provider.
For detailed information regarding updated Ministry guidance regarding COVID-19 please visit the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Vaccine-Relevant Information and Planning resources. For additional resources to support you in planning and implementing COVID-19 vaccination please visit Public Health Sudbury & Districts COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Communications in a Box.
Sincerely,
Original Signed By
Dr. Penny Sutcliffe
Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer
NOTE: All Advisory Alerts are found on our website.
This item was last modified on July 27, 2022