June 7, 2021 Epidemiology Wuhan lab leak hypothesis continues to percolate as non-experts claim SARS-CoV-2 has “a genetic footprint that has never been observed in a natural coronavirus.” Geneticists’/virologists’ expertise/comments needed to help many discern fact from fiction.
June 4, 2021 Allergy/Immunology Pfizer vaccine recipients have lower neutralizing antibodies targeting delta variant up to three months after first dose. Outcome data needed to determine if this translates into less efficacy. Study concludes second dose interval needs to be shortened.
May 28, 2021 Epidemiology B.1.617 variant grew nearly six-fold in Ontario last week. Although small numbers, we have seen this movie before. Data suggests single vaccine dose doesn’t provide adequate protection. Be proactive; speed up second dose now where indicated.
May 14, 2021 Clinical Research Give research the time to answer the question about the need for yearly Covid-19 vaccine boosters given that variants, present and future, will continue to be an issue for a while. Speculation is a mug’s game. Evidence is better.
May 12, 2021 Epidemiology Risk calculus and interpretation changing in Ontario. Public Health recommends suspending first dose of AZ vaccine pending further data analysis. Outcome even if in favour of resumption will not change the erosion of public confidence.
May 5, 2021 Clinical Research U.K. planning to give third Covid booster dose alongside the flu vaccine to people over 50 in the Fall. Studies looking at new variant-adjusted vaccine versus existing one to be used in this process.
April 30, 2021 Clinical Research Preprint study evaluated entire Scottish population and calls into question delaying second Covid vaccine dose up to 12 weeks. After first dose it noted a drop in preventing hospitalization from 84% at 5 weeks to 58% after the 7th. And after 16 weeks?
April 22, 2021 Clinical Research Reports of rare vaccine breakthrough infections show how well the vaccines work. CDC reports findings of <1/14,000. Ongoing evaluation will help develop future versions of the vaccine to respond to the variants.
April 21, 2021 Epidemiology WHO warns that worldwide Covid-19 deaths are accelerating. The return to normalcy has a long way to go even when we eventually reach herd immunity by vaccination in Canada.