February 24, 2021 Epidemiology Education workers ask to be included as part of the next COVID-19 vaccination phase. It can contribute to a stable school year, improve children’s mental health and pedagogic stability, teacher security, and reduces family stress and yo-yo closures.
February 19, 2021 Epidemiology What is behind recent COVID-19 case reductions? An aggregate of factors with disproportionate influences thought to be contributing factors: social distancing, seasonality, seroprevalence, and shots.
February 18, 2021 Clinical Research In vitro studies reported in NEJM show that Pfizer/Moderna vaccines were still able to neutralize variant B.1.351 from South Africa despite reduction in neutralizing antibodies. Authors’ opinion is that vaccine remains efficacious. More to follow.
February 15, 2021 Clinical Research Israeli study offers more evidence of Pfizer vaccine efficacy with 94% drop in symptomatic cases and 92% decrease in severe illness in people aged 55 and older.—- Restriction-easing plan in Ontario risks Yo-Yo effect once again.
February 12, 2021 Epidemiology Who/what priority group is next in line with limited vaccine supply once those most at risk are vaccinated? Gut-wrenching decisions & no easy solutions considering Minorities, socioecon status, work environment, med hx, and other interconnected factors.
February 5, 2021 General information Do people need a mask upgrade? @WSJ reviews the studies and some of the recommendations.
February 4, 2021 Allergy/Immunology Lancet posts Oxford Vaccine Group preprint study on how the timing of the booster dose of its Oxford-AZ vaccine affects the immune response and efficacy for people 18-55 years of age.
January 26, 2021 Geriatrics Vaccine shortage has led to Ontario’s plan to delay health care provider’s second dose for some and redirect them to long-term care residents so that by Feb. 5 all will have had at least one dose.
January 25, 2021 Biomedical Engineering Two positive steps forward for treatment and testing of coronavirus.
January 21, 2021 Clinical Research Israeli real-world Pfizer vaccine study reports infection rates dropped by 33% in treatment group of 200K people >60 y.o vs 200K controls after 21 days, less than predicted by proponents of delaying 2nd dose. Stay on schedule until proven otherwise.
