COVID-19 continues to be a serious health threat. While the virus can make anyone sick, Canadians over the age of 50 are at higher risk of complications.
Evidence indicates that the vaccines used in Canada are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Over time, protection from COVID-19 vaccines can decrease and vaccines have been less effective against the currently circulating Omicron variants. A booster dose increases the immune response and helps improve protection against severe outcomes by 90% or more.
While it is possible to get sick with COVID-19 after getting a booster, it helps:
- strengthen your defences against the virus
- protect you against severe illness and hospitalization
- potentially reduce the risk of developing post COVID-19 condition, even if you are infected.
While previous COVID-19 infection can provide some protection, up-to-date vaccinations, including booster doses, offer longer-lasting protection and better effectiveness. That’s why it’s important for people to get their booster doses as soon as they are eligible in their province or territory.
Resources
- See our video to answer the question, “Why do I need to get a COVID-19 booster dose?”
- Use additional resources from our vaccine communications tool kit to help answer your questions.
- Use the Government of Canada’s website as a credible source of information about both booster doses and COVID-19 vaccines.
We also have COVID-19 information products available in multiple languages.
Learn more at Canada.ca/covid-vaccine and on your provincial or territorial website.