COVID-19 vaccines are being recommended now recommend third doses for certain immunocompromised Canadians, but the national advisory  body still has not decided on whether to provide them for the rest of the population.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI)says moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals should be vaccinated with a primary series of three doses of an authorized mRNA vaccine such like Pfizer and Moderna.

For those who’ve already had two shots, NACI recommending a third dose, ideally of an m-R-N-A product, but the committee stresses this should not be considered a ”booster.”

NACI chair Dr. Shelley Deeks explains the aim is to provide an extra shot to those who ”may have somewhat lower responses to their first vaccinations.”

Her statement further reads ”this is not unusual for immunocompromised groups, where we often recommend different vaccine schedules to help them achieve better protection.  This is different from a booster does, which would be used to boost an immune response that has waned over time.”

As for whether additional doses may be required for other groups, NACI says ”it is too early to comment on the state of the evidence for general boosters at this time.”