Long-term care residents show weaker immune response to first dose of vaccine

A new study recommends giving elderly people their second dose on schedule.

As B.C. prepares to relax visitation restrictions at long-term care facilities on April 1, new research shows that a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine produces a much weaker antibody response in long-term care residents than it does in younger, healthy adults.

That could have serious consequences for elderly people who live in the general community and may have to wait up to four months for their second dose.

“There are many people who are frail and elderly living in the community, and there is no reason to believe their immune systems are any different than people in long-term care,” said the study’s lead author, Dr. Marc Romney, who is a professor at the University of B.C. and a medical leader in virology at St. Paul’s Hospital.

Scroll to Top

During the Canada Post strike, the following measures have been undertaken to minimize service disruption to BC-CfE clients and providers.

  • The BC-CfE Laboratory has transitioned to private courier for delivery of outgoing reports and documents. (Lab Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8775; FAX 604-806-9463)
  • The BC-CfE Drug Treatment Program (DTP) will fax outgoing forms and documents to the provider’s office.  (DTP Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8515; FAX 604-806-9044)
  • St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy has transitioned to private courier for delivery of medications. (Contact Information: Phone 1-800-547-3622; FAX 604-806-8675).
    Certain parts of BC have experienced medication delivery delays of up to 2 weeks by private courier. The pharmacy suggests clients or providers place medication orders with 2-3 weeks advance notice whenever possible.

During this time, we recommend that documents be faxed or couriered to our sites, versus utilization of regular mail service.

Start typing and press enter to search