the holidays are top of mind for many Canadians right now not another covid vaccine I am not aware about that I don't know you want to take care it is not mandatory I wouldn't New National Data shows uptake has dropped off few people in younger age groups have gotten the newest shots and while coverage Rises with age only a third of adults in their 60s had the latest covid vaccines and less than half of those in their 70s or older if it's been more than 6 months and particularly for those highrisk folks uh it is really important to get it it gives you this Extra Protection this vaccine clinic is trying to turn the tide since hundreds of Canadians are still being admitted to hospital every week with covid that risk remains far higher among seniors several medical experts told us that higher risk groups should treat these updated vaccines as essential not optional that means older adults people who are pregnant and anyone with serious medical conditions the virus keeps evolving Canada's chief medical officer of Health says the latest shots are a better match for the virus strains circulating right now and can boost immunity that may have faded even protection against severe outcomes wains over time others worry those messages aren't reaching the public leading many Canadians to assume they don't need another round we shouldn't think of them as boosters anymore we should think of them as being like flu shots where we have to update them whenever there's a new variant of concern 77-year-old Alex chaper got the updated shot on Monday morning got a look after us and this is we've had everyone and with more holiday Gatherings around the corner doctors say it's not too late for millions of other Canadians to follow suit Lauren P CBC News Toronto