Hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and death rates from COVID-19 increase with age. Older adults were highly prioritized in Canada's initial vaccine rollout. However, seniors living in the community currently face a 4-month interval between the two doses, well beyond the 21-28 days suggested by vaccine manufacturers. Many are now anxiously awaiting a second shot. 

This is an unacceptable situation for our highest risk population:

• Seniors mount a weaker immune response to one dose of vaccine compared to younger adults; the second dose confers much better protection.
• Seniors continue to have the highest death rate from COVID-19. In March 2021 in Ontario, the risk of death for adults aged ≥60 was found to be 33 times greater compared to adults aged ≤59. (National Institute on Ageing (2021)*
• Many seniors cannot modify their exposure. They require help from home care & family; they live in multigenerational households; they must attend in-person medical care.
• Older Ontarians are especially vulnerable at this time, as variants of concern are dominating, our health care system is overwhelmed and field hospitals are being activated. In the case of ICU triage, our seniors are at highest risk of being deemed palliative and left untreated.

We understand that dosing intervals were extended to optimize population protection with a limited vaccine supply. Fortunately, a massive ramp-up of vaccine supply is expected starting this week (May 2021). It's time for older adults to be prioritized once again. 

Now is the time to shorten the dosing interval for older Canadians living in the community. We urge you to allow this group to book their second dose appointments immediately, beginning with ages 80 and above. Our seniors deserve to be fully protected.

Please sign, share & contact your representatives in government to speak up for our seniors. 
#SecondShotsForSeniors

* Full citation: National Institute on Ageing (2021). If Older Canadians Want a COVID-19 Vaccine, Why Is Canada Struggling to Get Them Vaccinated? National Institute on Ageing, Ryerson University. Toronto, ON.