The territorial government is advising Yukoners at a high risk of severe illness due to COVID-19 to get a booster this spring.

Tuesday’s encouragement follows new recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and Dr. Sudit Ranade, the Yukon’s chief medical officer of health.

Those at a high risk include:

• Yukoners aged five to 64 with a chronic or immunocompromising condition;

• adults living in long-term care homes; and

• everyone aged 65 or older.

Getting a booster is not recommended for people who recently had COVID-19 until six months have passed since they had symptoms or tested positive.

The following Yukoners are not recommended to get a spring booster but can receive one if they choose:

• healthy children aged five to 11 who didn’t get a booster last fall; or

• healthy Yukoners aged 12 to 64.

Six months must have passed since your last dose to be eligible for a booster this spring.

Children between six months and five years old are not eligible.

Additionally, healthy children between five and 11 years old who received a booster in the fall of 2022 are not eligible at this time.

Yukoners can book their appointment at https://yukon.ca/appointments or through their local health centre.

“Our government is following expert advice and issuing new re-
 commendations regarding COVID-19 boosters this spring,” said Tracy-Anne McPhee, the minister of Health and Social Services.

“This reflects our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of Yukoners. The vaccines approved in Canada are safe and effective, and remain crucial in protecting communities, facilities, children and elders.”

Residents of rural communities can book a booster through their local health centre.

Whitehorse residents can make an appointment online or by calling 1-877-374-0425.

Yukoners can also contact their local pharmacy to book an appointment.

Yukoners can choose to receive their COVID-19 and flu vaccines during the same appointment.

COVID-19 remains a reality in the Yukon, though certainly not in the teeming numbers it was before vaccines were developed.

“As we continue shifting into the next phase of living with COVID-19, I want to continue urging Yukoners to keep up to date with their vaccines, including COVID-19 boosters,” said Ranade.

“Vaccines continue to be our best protection against severe outcomes.”