Health Canada has told the provinces to pull existing supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine that targets the XBB form of Omicron, a spokesperson for Ontario’s health minister says.
“Health Canada has directed all provinces to follow practices and processes for the withdrawal and destruction of all remaining supplies of XBB vaccines, starting Sept. 1, 2024,” the spokesperson said.
The Omicron branch of the viral family tree was discovered in late 2021 and started spreading rapidly around the world. The latest strains of Omicron circulating in Canada and the U.S. have names that start with KP.
In a notice to health professionals, the federal government said that after Aug. 21, “there will no longer be XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines available for use in Canada. Updated COVID-19 vaccines to target the JN.1 or KP.2 strains are anticipated to be authorized by Health Canada in the coming weeks.”
Ontario and Saskatchewan said vaccines will be available once received from Health Canada, after the updated formulation is approved.
Infectious diseases physician Donald Vinh on COVID vaccine fall inventory.
“It is estimated Ontario, and other provinces, will receive supply from Health Canada in October,” a spokesperson said.
But in British Columbia, the existing COVID-19 vaccine will remain available until a new product is approved.
“We are encouraging people in B.C. to wait for the new formulation if they can — but we are ensuring in the interim that vaccine remains available for people who may need it,” such as for travel, to visit an immunocompromised relative, or for vaccination prior to surgery, a spokesperson for B.C.’s provincial health officer said.
A provincial spokesperson in Manitoba said most people will have a six-month gap between their last dose and this fall’s update. To that end, all unused and expired doses of the XBB.1.5 vaccine were to be returned to the province as of the end of August, with specific requests for the current vaccine considered on a case-by-case basis.
Doctors and vaccine experts say while the existing XBB shot isn’t perfectly matched to circulating subvariants of Omicron, both it and the anticipated booster are expected to reduce the number of people landing in hospital.
Health officials recommend updated boosters since the virus that causes COVID-19 continues to mutate or change and protection from infection and immunizations wanes over time.
COVID still sickening people
Several pharmacists in Ontario told CBC News the XBB vaccine is not available today. The same is the case in Alberta.
Fady Salama, a pharmacist in Toronto, said he was initially confused about the faxed notice to discard existing vaccines.
“Why would we get rid of something that is still good?” Salama said. “Sometimes we get faxes that are scam or fraud. It was confusing enough for me to not take it seriously at first.”
Salama said not having a buffer period of vaccines available during a time of high COVID cases seems strange. He’s received inquiries from a few people looking for the vaccine, mostly older adults.
As of Aug. 24, COVID activity was high and decreasing in Quebec, moderate in Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick, with data not available for B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Nationally, 18.1 per cent of PCR tests for COVID were positive for the week ended Aug. 24, an underestimate because it doesn’t include those who don’t test or do so at home.
Dr. Donald Vinh, an infectious diseases specialist from the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, says COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths attributed to the infection continue to rise in the city, though not to nearly the scale at the beginning of the pandemic.
“People are still getting infected,” Vinh said. “They’re sick from it, they require oxygen. It delays their treatments for other types of conditions.”
A pharmacy association in Quebec said the current vaccine is no longer available through them.
Vaccine appointment cancelled
A letter from Ontario’s chief medical officer of health to vaccinators said, as part of Health Canada’s authorization of the new formulation for the fall, Health Canada will remove the strain identifier, such as XBB, from the vaccine’s naming convention. Instead, a single drug identification number, or DIN, will be used.
Vinh likened the federal notice to clearing the warehouse to make space for new vaccine inventory. It’s part of due diligence, he said, given no one knows how well the XBB vaccine protects against currently circulating variants.
“I think this is a harbinger that the updated formulation is going to come soon.”
Pressures from COVID-19 cases and a lack of primary care services have forced some hospital emergency rooms in Quebec to operate at 140 per cent capacity. Experts say Quebec isn’t alone and the strain could become a crisis if it lasts through flu season.
Health Canada says it is currently reviewing, on an expedited basis, submissions from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax for updated COVID-19 vaccines for planned fall campaigns.
“Withdrawing the previous XBB vaccines is part of regulatory and supply management best practices, consistent with the approach to annual influenza vaccines,” a Health Canada spokesperson said.
Federal health officials say they are collaborating with provinces and territories on a transition plan, which includes a federal reserve of XBB vaccines for any unexpected public health needs.
“The plan provides each province and territory the flexibility to ensure ongoing access to current supply until new vaccines are approved. This includes a period of transition to full removal.”
Marie-Andree Lajoie, 64, of Ottawa, is planning a trip overseas and had a booster appointment for this Friday at a local pharmacy. But that was cancelled on Wednesday.
“My option now is to go to New York state and get the updated vaccine,” Lajoie said. She was quoted $190 US. “Another option is to do without a booster.”