| 
Canada approves home-grown vaccine Health Canada announced Thursday it has given approval to Quebec company Medicago’s COVID-19 vaccine. The home-grown vaccine, called Covifenz, marks the world's first-ever plant-based shot authorized for human use and is also the first Canadian vaccine to be approved in more than 20 years. The shot, which is currently only approved in Canada, was 100 per cent effective against severe disease caused by COVID-19, Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical advisor at Health Canada, said in a press conference Thursday. It was shown to be 71 per cent effective against COVID-19 in clinical trials. Global News reporter Irelyne Lavery has more here. 
Masks still recommended as provinces ditch mandates Masks are still a “fundamental layer of protection” against COVID-19, Canada’s top doctor said Friday, even as some provinces remove mandates to wear them. "Whether your jurisdiction requires it or not or whether your setting requires it or not, it's something you can do to protect yourself and others," Dr. Theresa Tam said. “Wear a mask to reduce your risk.” Tam’s comments come as COVID-19 cases have receded in Canada. She warned Omicron does still pose a threat. "The virus is still very much alive,” Tam said. “It's active in your communities.” Read the latest on the COVID-19 situation in Canada here. 
Q: “My neighbour is having a memorial April 1 for her brother. Should my husband and I attend? We are in our 70s, vaccinated and had the booster December 2021. I don't think people will be wearing masks as food will be served. I also don't know if the people attending are vaccinated.” “Provided that the local COVID-19 situation remains as it is now, the decision comes down to how comfortable you and your husband will feel in this environment,” says Susy Hota, an infectious disease specialist and medical director of Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC). “On the positive side, you have both received your third doses of vaccine, which increases your protection. Is this enough for you feel to OK with the situation?” Hota says to ask yourselves how it would impact you if you were to contract COVID-19 at the memorial. “Do you or your husband have other health conditions that could put you at significant risk for getting severely ill? Do you have upcoming obligations or important events that could be jeopardized by getting COVID-19 infection?” While weighing the risks can be difficult, individuals should take comfort in knowing that everything we have learned about ways to reduce risk of transmission throughout the pandemic remain relevant, said Dr. Matthew Miller, assistant dean at McMaster University's department of biochemistry and biomedical sciences. “There is no doubt that older adults are at higher risk of severe outcome than those who are younger, but underlying health status matters a great deal as well,” he said. “In the context of the described memorial service, individuals could reduce their personal risk by wearing well-fitted, high-quality masks (e.g. N95/KN95) and abstaining from eating/drinking so that the masks do not need to be removed.” Miller added that maintaining physical distancing where possible, and good hand hygiene can also mitigate the risk of catching COVID, but noted there is no way to reduce risk to zero. | 
No comments:
Post a Comment