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Three COVID-19 Vaccines Vital, Fourth Optional, According to Niagara's Top Doctor

Dr. Mustafa Hirji says three COVID-19 vaccinations are essential, but fourth only provides a small boost.

Niagara's top doctor says three COVID-19 vaccinations are key. 

Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mustafa Hirji tells us while the province's decision to expand fourth dose eligibility is good news, the fourth shot may just be a trade-off. 

"Those first three doses are absolutely essential for us to have good immunity...this fourth dose is actually much smaller in the benefit it provides. It gives us a little bit of a boost for sure, but it's only going to be a small boost."

Hirji also says there could be Omicron-specific doses coming in the fall, and getting a fourth dose now may impact one's ability to get one of those shots. 

Currently, while over 80 percent of Niagara's population has two doses, just over half have a third dose. 

Hirji says he thinks there is more the province can do to encourage people to get a third shot. 

"I think having an incentive to encourage people to get that third dose would be a good idea. We have a government that loves tax cuts. Everybody likes to get a tax cut and get more money back in their pocket. I would give a tax cut to people who get a third dose."

Hirji is also encouraging people to keep masking up in public as the province enters a seventh wave. 

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The full interview with Dr. Mustafa Hirji is available below. 

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