doctor says covid-19 vaccines remain essential for older adults and high-risk groups
if canadians work together to maintain lung health and help prevent the spread of covid-19, we can help protect the most vulnerable among us while easing pressure on our health-care system.
published dec 16, 2025
3 minute read
3 minute read
covid-19 can significantly impact respiratory health, especially for people with certain pre-existing conditions. getty
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pfizer canada
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the covid-19 pandemic began over five years ago, and for many canadians, the days of masking, distancing and covid-related health scares seem far away.
the reality, however, is that the virus hasn’t gone anywhere. while many people experience only mild covid-19 symptoms, the risk for certain individual to develop severe disease that could lead to hospitalization, still remains.
“older adults, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant people, unvaccinated individuals and those living with chronic conditions such as heart disease are still more vulnerable to severe covid infection and health outcomes,” says dr. somkene igboanugo, a toronto-based health-care practitioner and senior manager of person-centred care and programs (asthma and copd) at the lung health foundation.
understanding the full impact of covid-19
covid-19 can significantly impact respiratory health, especially for people with certain pre-existing conditions.
those with chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd) remain at heightened risk of experiencing acute exacerbation and serious infections with poor outcomes. “symptoms related to covid-19 infection and chronic medical conditions exacerbation can sometimes go on for weeks or months, impacting patient’s quality of life and daily functioning,” says dr. igboanugo.
he notes that covid-19’s impact on individuals can be far-reaching. “covid-19 complications can result in taking sick leave, reduced productivity, temporary disabilities and, in severe cases, loss of income and long-term disability,” he says.
dr. somkene igboanugo is a toronto-based health-care practitioner and senior manager of person-centred care and programs (asthma and copd) at the lung health foundation. supplied
helping at-risk individuals stay protected
covid-19 vaccination remains a key preventive tool, especially for individuals at-risk. staying up to date with covid-19 immunizations plays a key role in helping reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death.
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the national advisory committee on immunization (naci) guidelines recommend that all adults aged 65 and over, as well as adults and children over six months of age at higher risk of getting covid, receive a covid-19 vaccine.
despite being in a lower-risk group, dr. igboanugo notes that covid-19 vaccination for healthy young adults may be especially beneficial if they engage in behaviours that may affect their health, such as smoking cigarettes or vaping.
addressing vaccine hesitancy and fatigue
dr. igboanugo also notes that vaccine fatigue and hesitancy persist. alongside the responsibility that canadians have to take prevention into their own hands, health-care providers also play a key role in helping individuals make decisions to support their lung health.
“distrust in health systems and authority, lack of access, inequitable access and severe knowledge deficits are often the underlying factors driving vaccine hesitancy,” says dr. igboanugo. the solution, he adds, is to ensure equitable access to vaccines, give accurate information and communicate with empathy and compassion.
“this is especially important with historically disadvantaged groups, who may not fully trust health-care systems and practitioners,” dr. igboanugo adds. “building trust within these groups entails leveraging community partnerships and collaborating to develop culturally safe, targeted information dissemination that meets the community’s needs.”
protecting our communities and easing pressure on our health-care system
vaccination can help protect our community members, especially those who may be immunocompromised. it also helps reduce strain on the health-care system during peak respiratory illness season.
according to data from the canadian institute for health information, the estimated average cost of a single covid-19 hospital stay is over $24,000, which is approximately three times greater than the cost of an average hospital stay.
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“despite limited resources, health-care systems still need to contend with new covid variants and the cases they bring, address covid vaccine hesitancy and support individuals living with covid-related complications,” says dr. igboanugo. “these responsibilities put tremendous strain on health-care systems and an overburdened workforce, ultimately affecting everyone.”
by ensuring that those at higher risk can have access to covid-19 vaccines, we can help prevent severe illness and the need for medical care. this not only supports vulnerable individuals but also helps to ease wait times for others needing treatment and lessens the pressure on our health-care providers.
accessing reliable, up-to-date health information
for the latest information about covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses, including about prevention and immunization, dr. igboanugo recommends speaking to your health-care provider or accessing reliable sources for guidance, such as the lung health foundation, health canada, naci and the canadian thoracic society.
talk to your doctor, pharmacist or other health-care provider about how you can help protect your lung health and prevent covid-19.
this story was created by healthing content works, healthing.ca’s commercial content division, on behalf of pfizer canada.
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