March 28, 2022 Clinical Research Israeli study reports fourth COVID vaccine dose for people 60-100 years old significantly lowers COVID death rate.
March 15, 2022 Epidemiology China government’s zero-tolerance COVID strategy falters as it battles multiple COVID-19 outbreaks, driven by ‘stealth omicron’ variant.
February 16, 2022 Health Policy Why will fully-vaccinated travellers need to take a rapid test 24 hrs prior to returning to Canada when today, community spread is responsible for the majority of COVID-19 infections? What is the evidence for this policy? (no sarcasm, real questions).
February 2, 2022 Mental Health B.C. doctors can prescribe national park pass to patients “with any health condition” (so almost anyone) who need nature time to save the annual access fee. If most anyone can qualify, eliminate annual fee at the source instead; no prescription needed.
February 1, 2022 Health Headlines If the reported two-dose Pfizer pediatric COVID vaccine data to date for two to four-year-olds did not produce a strong enough immune response, do they have more data to support their application for FDA approval?
January 31, 2022 Health Policy Ontario starts to ease Public Health COVID-19 measures at 21-day intervals. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore states “When we reach that low endemic rate, that’s when we review all public health measures in play.”
January 25, 2022 Allergy/Immunology The assumption that having had Omicron confers long-term immunity especially for the unvaccinated is not necessarily a slam-dunk. Infectious disease experts aren’t clear on the answer.
January 24, 2022 General information Nova Scotia Health study finds that a combination of throat and nasal swabs increases COVID rapid antigen test accuracy.
January 6, 2022 Epidemiology Group of Ontario hospitals is urging vaccination against COVID-19 during pregnancy, citing a recent trend of infant hospitalizations due to the disease. #VaccinesWork
December 22, 2021 Health Policy How to lose the room; publish headlines informing the public that they cannot get a PCR test and then tell them not to rely on rapid antigen tests during the holidays. It is a tool to be used with masks, avoiding large crowds, and proper ventilation.