Health Policy News

The new shots from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax are approved for all seniors. But the Food and Drug Administration narrowed their use for younger adults and children to those with at least one high-risk health condition, such as asthma or obesity.

Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones says the shot will be available through the publicly funded immunization program ahead of the upcoming respiratory illness season.

GJ and Hazel van der Werken, of Burlington, Ont., said their 16-year-old son, Finlay, had a few days of mild illness and was suffering from migraines before his condition began to worsen.

Earlier this week, her health ministry said COVID-19 vaccine coverage would be extended to all healthcare workers this fall under the first phase of the province’s rollout.

The government of Saskatchewan is allowing pharmacists to substitute medications under certain conditions.

Public health experts and healthcare unions called it irresponsible to force front-line workers to pay for protection in the workplace.

Each province and territory has its own vaccine schedule based on factors such as when a child would benefit from higher immunity from the shot, and what childhood vaccinations can be grouped together.

Dr. James Talbot, the province’s former chief medical officer of health, said the government appears to be doing everything it can to make this year’s immunization campaign a ‘failure’ by making it less available, less accessible and less affordable.