Vaccinated Canadians who catch COVID-19 can get booster 3 months after positive test: NACI

Fully vaccinated Canadians who experienced a COVID-19 infection should wait at least three months to get a booster shot after symptoms start or testing positive, according to Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

NACI made the updated recommendation Friday as some provinces and territories begin easing COVID-19 restrictions. In its updated guidance, NACI suggests that a longer interval between infection and vaccination could result in a better immune response and longer-lasting protection against Omicron and future variants. “Individuals who experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection before starting or completing their primary COVID-19 vaccine series may receive their next dose eight weeks after symptoms started or after testing positive (if no symptoms were experienced),” NACI said. “Individuals who are recommended to receive a booster dose and who experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection after completing their primary series may receive a booster dose three months after symptoms started or after testing positive (if no symptoms were experienced) and provided it is at least six months after completing a primary series.” Read more: Interactive: Inside COVID’s rehabilitation hospitals As of Jan.

22, 37 per cent of all Canadians have received a booster dose, while 78 per cent are considered fully vaccinated, government data shows.

The change in guidance comes after health officials warned Thursday the drop in COVID-related hospitalizations in some provinces could come to an end as public health restrictions are loosened.