Kingston residents react after World Health Organization adjusts COVID-19 recall recommendations – Kingston

New guidelines from the World Health Organization declares that several COVID-19 booster injections may “not” be necessary for certain segments of the population.

One of the key messages when it comes to COVID-19 has been to get vaccinated.

“I got my first two just because I talked to a lot of people, and they said hey take them so I’m protected from COVID and everything. I didn’t get the reminders because that I don’t find the need for them unless my doctors recommend them,” said Kingston resident Keagan Ruttan.

Ruttan is on track to comply with the most recent guidelines from the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group.

For healthy adults up to age 60, the advisory group recommends initial vaccinations and a booster.

Recommendations for older adults and young adults with health conditions like diabetes or heart disease boosters are recommended six to 12 months after your last vaccination.

“Vaccinators stopped by my building the other week, so I was there and got vaccine number five, another booster,” said Kingston resident Roger Eccleston.

For healthy children and adolescents six months to 17 years of age, the WHO has stated that primary and booster injections are safe, but other factors should be considered such as disease burden, need to catch up with other vaccinations such as measles and profitability.

This contrasts slightly with Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines which follow National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations.

For people five years of age and older, booster doses should take place six months after the last vaccination.
Children aged six months to four years are not eligible for a booster, on the advice of KFL&A Public Health.

In a statement, KFL&A Public Health said it was following vaccine guidelines provided by the provincial and federal governments.

The statement reads as follows:

“We remain committed to ensuring that our vaccine distribution and administration processes align with the latest evidence-based recommendations to protect the health and safety of our community.”

Or, if in doubt, you can always do what Eccleston said he does:

“Hey, it’s available, it’s free…get your shot.”

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