'Benefits outweigh potential risk': York's top doc urges 2nd COVID-19 vaccine doses for youth

While initially urging delay until NACI issued advice following rare cases of heart inflammation, Dr. Karim Kurji is now encouraging young residents aged 12 to 17 to get their shots

Newmarkettoday.ca
July 6, 2021
Joseph Quigley

Youth can safely get second doses as an accelerated COVID-19 vaccination rollout picks up across the province, York Region’s medical officer of health said.

Dr. Karim Kurji stated in a July 5 online update that individuals aged 12 to 17 are recommended to get a second dose despite concerns about rare heart inflammation cases, based on recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization. The province expanded second dose eligibility to ages 12 to 17 group July 5, which York Region had delayed.

“The benefits of COVID-19 vaccine continue to outweigh any potential risk,” Kurji said.

Public health is responding to rare reports of two heart conditions particularly associated with younger people on the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccination --myocarditis (inflammation of heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart). That prompted Kurji to advise on June 24 that youth should hold off on receiving a second dose of the vaccine for a minimum of 56 days between doses while authorities study the matter.

The national advisory committee recommended July 2 that second doses continue for all eligible individuals, including those aged 12 and older.

“We have been closely monitoring the evolving situation of rare cases of myocarditis or pericarditis following mRNA vaccination among younger people. NACI is encouraged to see that the clinical presentations appear mild, and resolve quickly," committee chair Dr. Shelley Deeks said. "The benefits of the COVID-19 immunization program continue to outweigh the relatively small risk for all people including adolescents."

However, the committee is also recommending public health officials discuss the risk when asking for informed consent for a vaccine. It also said anyone who experiences myocarditis or pericarditis on a first dose should hold off on getting a second dose.

All York Region residents, including those 12 and older, are eligible to book an earlier second-dose vaccine appointment via york.ca/COVID19vaccine. In addition to releasing 25,000 new appointments this morning, Kurji said 33,000 additional appointments will be released Wednesday, July 7 at 8 a.m.

Youth will be provided a Pfizer vaccine -- the only mRNA vaccine approved for them in Canada.

Kurji said that adults seeking an mRNA vaccine can only get Moderna until at least July 18. He has previously said supply issues are a factor.

However, he added Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are effective and noted the national advisory committee considers them interchangeable for second doses.

“The Ministry of Health encourages all people living in Ontario to get the second dose as soon as possible,” Kurji said. “If the vaccine you receive for your first dose is not available at your second dose appointment, it is recommended you receive the second mRNA vaccine that is available rather than delaying your second dose.”