Niagara Region top doc says second booster not necessary for most

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Published July 14, 2022 at 10:51 am

Niagara acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mustafa Hirji, shown here getting his second vaccination, said he'd much rather see Niagara residents get their booster shot first before people line up for their second booster. While 80 per cent of Niagara has had their second shot, only 50 per cent have had their booster.

Niagara Region’s acting Medical Officer of Health is questioning the necessity of a fourth booster.

With only 50 per cent of Niagara residents having received their first booster, Dr. Mustafa Hirji told a local radio station he is far more concerned about those people get their third shot.

“What we really see with COVID vaccines is those first three doses are really critical. Once you have those three doses you will be pretty good. The fourth dose only gives you a little bit of a boost,” Hirji told St. Catharines radio station CKTB.

“For people over 80, people with underlying medical conditions or at high-risk, definitely for them – but for most people the fourth dose is a small benefit.”

While he welcomes the province opening up the second booster to anyone over 14 years old as of today (July 14), he added that anyone going for it now won’t be eligible for the Omicron-specific vaccine expected this fall.

The Ontario government recently announced the Omicron-specific vaccine, which won’t be available until fall, is expected to get Health Canada approval.

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