Provinces told to destroy existing COVID-19 vaccines ahead of arrival of updated shots

Health Canada has directed all provinces to pull and destroy existing supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine that targets the XBB form of Omicron, a spokesperson for Ontario's health minister says.

"Health Canada has directed all provinces to follow practices and processes for the withdrawal and destruction of all remaining supplies of XBB vaccines, starting Sept. 1, 2024," the spokesperson said.

The Omicron branch of the viral family tree was discovered in late 2021 and started spreading rapidly around the world. The latest strains of Omicron circulating in Canada and the U.S. have names that start with KP.

In a notice to health professionals, the federal government said that after Aug. 21, "there will no longer be XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines available for use in Canada. Updated COVID-19 vaccines to target the JN.1 or KP.2 strains are anticipated to be authorized by Health Canada in the coming weeks."

Ontario said vaccines will be available once it receives supply from Health Canada after the updated formulation is approved.

"It is estimated Ontario, and other provinces, will receive supply from Health Canada in October," a spokesperson said.

But in British Columbia, the existing COVID-19 vaccine will remain available until a new product is approved.

"We are encouraging people in B.C. to wait for the new formulation if they can — but we are ensuring in the interim that vaccine remains available for people who may need it (e.g. for travel, to visit an immunocompromised relative, need for a vaccine before a surgery etc.)," a spokesperson for B.C.'s provincial health officer said.

Doctors and vaccine experts say while the existing XBB shot isn't perfectly matched to circulating subvariants of Omicron, both it and the anticipated booster is expected to reduce the number of people landing in hospital.

Hospitalizations haven't increased, which infectious disease specialists credit to immunity from previous infections and vaccinations. Health officials recommend updated boosters since the virus that causes COVID-19 continues to mutate or change and protection wanes over time.

COVID still circulating

Several pharmacists in Ontario told CBC News the XBB vaccine is not available today. The same is reportedly the case in Alberta.

Fady Salama, a pharmacist in Toronto, said he was initially confused about the faxed notice to discard existing vaccines.

"Why would we get rid of something that is still good?" Salama said. "Sometimes we get faxes that are scam or fraud. It was confusing enough for me to not take it seriously at first."

Salama said not having a buffer period of vaccines available during a time of high COVID cases seems strange. He's received inquiries from a few people looking for the vaccine, mostly older adults.

As of Aug. 24, COVID activity was high and decreasing in Quebec, moderate in Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick, with data not available for B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Nationally, 18.1 per cent of PCR tests for COVID, such as those done at hospitals, were positive for the week ending Aug. 24.

A letter from Ontario's chief medical officer of health to vaccinators said as part of Health Canada's authorization of the new formulation for the fall, Health Canada will remove the strain identifier, such as XBB, from the vaccine's naming convention. Instead, a single drug identification number, or DIN, will be used.