Spring COVID-19 booster doses are now available for New Brunswickers considered at risk for severe illness.

Eligible New Brunswickers can access booster doses at community pharmacies and through the online provincial scheduling system.

Public Health said personal risk factors for severe illness include:

• individuals aged 65 and over, especially if they are unsure of having been infected with COVID-19 in the past;
• individuals aged 18 and over who are moderately to severely immunocompromised; and
• individuals living in long-term care facilities.

Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines is important given the continued circulation of the virus in Canada and elsewhere.

“Those most at risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 would especially benefit from a spring booster shot, as long as they have not rolled up their sleeve for a booster or fallen ill with COVID-19 within the past five months,” Russell said in a news release.

If you received a booster dose last fall, Public Health said you are considered to be fully up to date at this time.

People aged five and older who did not get a booster dose last fall are able to do so throughout the spring. Children aged six months to four years are not eligible for booster doses at this time.