The Alberta government says it expects to have a decision by next month about whether to offer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to people with compromised immune systems, after U.S. health officials recommended the extra protection be made available to all Americans. Alberta Health spokesperson Lisa Glover told CBC News the government is closely watching the emerging data and research around booster shots and awaiting advice from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). "Evidence suggests that the existing COVID-19 vaccine schedule offers excellent protection, including against variants of concern," she said. U.S. officials on Wednesday announced plans to dispense COVID-19 booster shots to all Americans to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant. However, she added that provincial health officials are in contact with the federal government, where officials are continuing to work on that issue.

Source: CBC News August 19, 2021 13:30 UTC