The provincial government has announced that third doses of mRNA vaccines will now be offered to certain groups of immunocompromised people.

Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health said “These immunocompromised individuals may have a reduced immune response to COVID-19 vaccines. An additional dose provides an opportunity for these individuals to develop a better immune response, which could offer better protection.”

Third doses will be available to people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised due to a medical condition or treatment.

People aged 12 and over with at least one of the conditions or treatments listed by the provincial government are eligible to register online for a third vaccination through a regional health authority clinic or participating pharmacy. These individuals will be asked to sign a statement attesting that they meet the eligibility criteria.

Those who are eligible include people who are receiving active chemotherapy (or immune therapy) for cancer, are taking certain medications that severely affect the immune system, or were born with moderate or severe dysfunction of their immune system.

The recommended interval for a third dose of mRNA vaccine for immunocompromised people is at least four weeks after their second dose.

A complete list of medical conditions and treatments that would result in a person being recommended to receive a third dose is available online.