Mr. Chair, maybe I will take this question.
That's a very important question. Of course, we are learning about both the virus and the vaccines over time. The duration of the protection of the vaccine, which we saw as extremely good with two doses of vaccine at the start, really shifted when the omicron variant appeared. There are changes in the virus itself.
It's really important to provide Canadians with up-to-date information as we have it. Both Health Canada, in its authorization of vaccines including boosters, and the national advisory committee on immunization will address the recommendations with the increase in knowledge.
I think that's what we've been seeing happen over time, and I think Canadians really rolled up their sleeves and got the first two doses. I think there's an increase in understanding that boosters are important, all the chief medical officers and the national advisory committee on immunization came out again strongly, given the evolving evidence, to say, “If you're 18 and over, go get boosted. Even if you've been infected, wait three months and go get boosted.” That is a much clearer message, I think, than when we were still trying to learn about the impact of omicron and the booster doses.
I think that's a very clear message and I hope all Canadians will get boosted, but we will keep learning as we go along. We're preparing for any potential re-emergence of different variants, and we have to check the effectiveness of the vaccines against those as they emerge. We cannot know that ahead of time. We also have to prepare ahead of time for a potential for a fall-winter respiratory season during which, Canadians should bear in mind, governments will likely come out to recommend additional doses as well.
I think the most important thing is to keep the communication channels open and, as I said, capacitate health care providers and other trusted leaders in providing the credible information.