July 29, 2021 Addiction Philip Morris CEO states that cigarette sales to end in UK within 10 years and will be replaced with a harm-reduction IQOS (Tobacco Heating System) product approved by the FDA
July 27, 2021 Infectious Disease Pandemic-related public health measures reduced rates of Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) infection in infants and children. Resurgence anticipated as measures ease this coming winter. #RSV
July 13, 2021 Science and Media Reporting WHO: Foot meets mouth as it continues to muddle its science communications. Unfortunate that the mixing vaccines comments were poorly explained adding more burden on public health experts like @SharkawyMD & @BogochIsaac to counter the miscommunication.
July 7, 2021 General information Reports of myocarditis in Ontario not exceeding expected background rate. Correlation to mRNA vaccines noted but causation yet to be verified. Public disclosure and transparency with risk in context is necessary even if uncertain. No one wants surprises.
June 30, 2021 General information Health Canada adds Capillary Leak Syndrome, as an extremely rare side effect of AZ and Covishield vaccine. Six people in Europe and UK reported had syndrome after vaccine out of 78 million doses given. One case in Canada reported to date. #FullDisclosure
June 18, 2021 Health Policy NACI now recommends “preferred” interchangeable Pfizer & Moderna as second dose after first AZ vaccine. Correct decision but NACI’s less-than-stellar messaging trend has contributed to understandable AZ recipients and providers’ frustration.
June 14, 2021 Allergy/Immunology What should your #seconddose of #covidvaccine be if 1st was AZ? Factors include wait-time/availability, Delta variant prevalence, occupational risks, and study evidence. Answer seems to leaning to Pfizer or Moderna as 2nd dose of choice.
June 8, 2021 Health Policy FDA approval process questioned as it approves new early-stage $56K US/year treatment for Alzheimer’s despite its own panel founding insufficient evidence of efficacy. Only when company changed the study endpoint did it show efficacy compared to placebo.
May 13, 2021 Clinical Research Short-lived common side effects including fever, chills, pain, and headache after mixing AZ with Pfizer vaccine reported in @TheLancet. Immunogenicity results to be reported in June and if mixing is a viable option (likely but assumption needs evidence).
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.