Canada - Coronavirus COVID-19 #2

[dotr]

DBM

Sorry, getting a strange message with my post of a MacLean's article on the vaccine distribution in Canada. Will try to post it again.

Where did Canada's vaccine effort actually go wrong? - Macleans.ca
May 31 2021
By Justin Ling
''Almost despite the odds, Canada’s vaccination campaign has finally hit its stride: Half of the country has been vaccinated in about five months. More than 20 million doses have gone into arms, and Canada is leading the G7 in vaccinations per day. Shipments are arriving in abundance, and on time; provinces, territories, cities and pharmacies are giving shots nearly as quickly as they’re getting vaccines; and Canadians are stepping up en masse.

At this rate, Canada is well on track to make good on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s target to have everyone inoculated by the end of September—a pledge once derided as unrealistic.

But through it all, there has been a lingering belief that Canada’s approach has been a total disaster; that there were serious mistakes made at every step of the way that seriously impacted Canadians’ access to vaccines; that this pandemic was worse than it had to be, because of ineptitude in Ottawa''.

 

[JDG]

Another day, another BIG surprise decision.

NACI is going to approve the mixing and matching of vaccines later today.

If a person had the AZ vaccine, they will get either Pfizer or Moderna as the second shot. (mRNA)

If a person had the mRNA as a first shot, the second shot will be either Pfizer or Moderna.

Supposedly being done to 'speed up' the process of second vaccines.

Formal announcement expected later Tuesday.

 

[Tadpole12]

Federal panel approves following AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine 1st dose with mRNA 2nd dose

Ontario reports 699 new COVID-19 cases, lowest daily increase since October

Ford government planning to keep schools closed until fall, decision still has to be finalized by cabinet: sources

Ontarians 80 and older start booking second COVID-19 vaccine appointments

 

[otto]

Another day, another BIG surprise decision.

NACI is going to approve the mixing and matching of vaccines later today.

If a person had the AZ vaccine, they will get either Pfizer or Moderna as the second shot. (mRNA)

If a person had the mRNA as a first shot, the second shot will be either Pfizer or Moderna.

Supposedly being done to 'speed up' the process of second vaccines.

Formal announcement expected later Tuesday.

I will insist on receiving the same vaccine type as I received during the first shot. The government should not so arrogantly modify scientific conclusions to suit their own agenda.

 

[JDG]

Being part of the largest human drug trial in the history of mankind is one thing, being told to 'mix and match' is another.

All of these 'narratives' are based on political, not scientific decisions.

They just change the narrative to suit the situation as we have seen multiple times.

I will also be declining any 'mix and match' vaccination protocol.

 

[otto]

Being part of the largest human drug trial in the history of mankind is one thing, being told to 'mix and match' is another.

All of these 'narratives' are based on political, not scientific decisions.

They just change the narrative to suit the situation as we have seen multiple times.

I will also be declining any 'mix and match' vaccination protocol.

I've said from the beginning, whether related to mask wearing, work environment, vaccine risks and everything else about the pandemic, the government can make recommendations, but we have to decide for ourselves what we are comfortable with.

The government pushed the AstraZeneca vaccine long after it was well known to cause blood clots, explaining that only a few people will be adversely effected so forget about those people and make a reckless choice. Some people who listened to the government have lost their lives or permanently compromised their health.

Everyone needs to decide what risk level they're comfortable with, and not rely on government speculation.

 

[deugirtni]

Unfortunately for the people who received the AZ type, it sounds like they may not have a choice, or at least the choice may be between i)receiving a different type for 2nd dose, or ii)not getting 2nd dose.

 

[otto]

Unfortunately for the people who received the AZ type, it sounds like they may not have a choice, or at least the choice may be between i)receiving a different type for 2nd dose, or ii)not getting 2nd dose.

That's true - those who received the AstraZeneca vaccine should probably be thinking about requesting two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna, since those vaccines approach the virus completely differently than the AstraZeneca.

 

[deugirtni]

That's true - those who received the AstraZeneca vaccine should probably be thinking about requesting two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna, since those vaccines approach the virus completely differently than the AstraZeneca.

My guess is that they would not be able to get the 2nd Pfizer or Moderna (to make 3 shots altogether), or if they could, they'd likely have to pay out of pocket. Seems pretty weird that the choice for the AZ people seemed to be, either get the second AZ as it expires, or get a different brand.

ETA to add.. get the second AZ shot as it reaches its expiry date, IF they could even get one. (It seemed that MANY of the original pharmacies that issued first doses were not able to get any for second doses, and meanwhile, pharmacies that WERE able to get second doses were automatically calling those that received their first dose with them.... equals SOL for those that happened to get #1 at whichever pharmacies that weren't getting second doses, which of course, was unknown to anyone at the time of first dose... or... how many people would have chosen AZ in the first place?)

ETA#2:.. and not like it was even a CHOICE.. Canadians were told to "take the first one offered to you", so now these AZ people are left holding the bag of ugly choices.

 

[otto]

My guess is that they would not be able to get the 2nd Pfizer or Moderna (to make 3 shots altogether), or if they could, they'd likely have to pay out of pocket. Seems pretty weird that the choice for the AZ people seemed to be, either get the second AZ as it expires, or get a different brand.

ETA to add.. get the second AZ shot as it reaches its expiry date, IF they could even get one. (It seemed that MANY of the original pharmacies that issued first doses were not able to get any for second doses, and meanwhile, pharmacies that WERE able to get second doses were automatically calling those that received their first dose with them.... equals SOL for those that happened to get #1 at whichever pharmacies that weren't getting second doses, which of course, was unknown to anyone at the time of first dose... or... how many people would have chosen AZ in the first place?)

ETA#2:.. and not like it was even a CHOICE.. Canadians were told to "take the first one offered to you", so now these AZ people are left holding the bag of ugly choices.

Regarding "take the first one offered to you," that is indeed what we were told. In fact, there was some shaming going on for anyone who did not take the AstraZeneca shot after it was offered early to people in some age groups. People who wanted the other vaccines had to wait. People who chose to wait were asked why they weren't getting the vaccine that was available. Everything about the AstraZeneca vaccine was questionable, including the fact that the USA was manufacturing and distributing it, but refusing to approve it for people in the USA.

 

[LadyL]

All done with paper and pen + calendar. ROFLOL

According to the news, many seniors have decided to just wait for their 'given' dates as its too much for them to re-schedule esp if they dont have computers, are not tech savvy or no longer have a family member/care giver to do it for them.

That's a bit chancy give the variants of concern. If any group needs their second shots asap, its the elderly elderly and people over 65.

ETA: this news item was from CP24, a geriatrician from Sinai Health.

This whole Gong Show has been severely lacking all round. At least we should be prepared for the next pandemic, every cloud has a silver lining...

I was thinking the same and I have access to a computer/can do it myself etc. but it's a pain in the patootie and gives me anxiety thinking about rescheduling. I feel bad for the elderly having to deal with it.

 

[JDG]

I see there is going to be a small study of mixed vaccines as a booster shot.

This has just been announced and it will give an idea of how well mixed vaccines are tolerated, efficacy etc.

Wether or not it will be ready in time to help the AZ people is another question.

The study is being done by the NIH in America.

 

[LadyL]

A week and a half ago, the fast-rising percentage of Canadians with at least one dose of vaccine passed that of the United States.

This week, Canada will move ahead of Britain, the Group of 20 leader. Next week, the share of Canadians with at least one shot is likely to pass Israel – the developed world’s vaccination champion.

As of Tuesday, more than 66 per cent of eligible Canadians – those 12 years of age and older – had received at least one shot. Despite a vaccine supply both smaller and arriving later than many peer countries, Canada has surged ahead, owing to the eagerness of Canadians.

Globe editorial: Make COVID-19 history. Boost Canada’s vaccination rate to 90 per cent

 

[JDG]

^^^ yes but many of those countries have citizens who are fully vaccinated and thus better protected.

Canada has about 3% fully vaccinated; not great at all esp for people in the medical field and citizens at high risk.

Media rarely mentions this aspect of it all.

 

[Tadpole12]

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/01/boo...esting-mix-and-match-covid-vaccine-doses.html

“The results of this trial are intended to inform public health policy decisions on the potential use of mixed vaccine schedules should booster doses be indicated,” he added.

... Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said last month that Covid-19 booster shots could be needed for fully vaccinated people within a year."

 

[JDG]

For anyone looking for a second shot of AZ, check out Vaccine Hunters dot ca on Twitter.

I see some pharmacies who have the second doses on a walk in basis.

You can also hook up with one of their 'discord' members who will help you find something local to your home/work.

These people have done a phenomenal job of locating vaccines and helping people.

Kudos to them.

 

[LadyL]

Manitoba COVID-19 patient dies in Ontario hospital

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/mani...buIHvCntAt5aUMAkCzkRb0pKr07vzShNHk3Ym6-NF3wr0

 

[zencompass]

I will insist on receiving the same vaccine type as I received during the first shot. The government should not so arrogantly modify scientific conclusions to suit their own agenda.

Good evening Otto,

I will insist upon the same vaccine for myself. Absolutely. My initial shot was a Pfizer and my second one will be the same. My reason will be that I'm not comfortable having a different one. This is only my own opinion and what I feel is best for me. We're all different of course.

Of course, this is an individual and personal opinion/choice. For me, I will only have the same vaccine as I had before.

Before I had my first vaccine in April (Pfizer), my doctor's office contacted me to offer a different vaccine in March.

I just said that I appreciated the call about the vaccine, however, I was not comfortable at all with that particular vaccine they were offering. Because I wasn't. I was very polite (I've never said no to a doctor's advice before!) but I kept saying I wasn't comfortable with that one. It doesn't matter which vaccine I didn't want - the point is that I had done research and I felt that with my health and my immune system that Pfizer would be the best choice for me.

Pfizer may not be the best choice for everyone but I do believe it was for me.

Everyone's different and we have unique immune systems.

These are my own personal opinions relating to my health/age, etc.

 

[LadyL]

Pandemic reveals urgent need to address Canada’s food insecurity

 

[otto]

Good evening Otto,

I will insist upon the same vaccine for myself. Absolutely. My initial shot was a Pfizer and my second one will be the same. My reason will be that I'm not comfortable having a different one. This is only my own opinion and what I feel is best for me. We're all different of course.

Of course, this is an individual and personal opinion/choice. For me, I will only have the same vaccine as I had before.

Before I had my first vaccine in April (Pfizer), my doctor's office contacted me to offer a different vaccine in March.

I just said that I appreciated the call about the vaccine, however, I was not comfortable at all with that particular vaccine they were offering. Because I wasn't. I was very polite (I've never said no to a doctor's advice before!) but I kept saying I wasn't comfortable with that one. It doesn't matter which vaccine I didn't want - the point is that I had done research and I felt that with my health and my immune system that Pfizer would be the best choice for me.

Pfizer may not be the best choice for everyone but I do believe it was for me.

Everyone's different and we have unique immune systems.

These are my own personal opinions relating to my health/age, etc.

I think you made the right choice. It's not easy to explain reasons for making medical decisions that we feel are best for us, but health care professionals and others have to admit that not enough is known about the vaccines. People's personal choices regarding vaccine have to be respected.

The age group for the AstraZeneca vaccine was constantly changing after it was known to cause deadly blood clots. Today, there's new information about Pfizer and heart inflammation in young men. I'm guessing that one day there will be new information about risks associated with the Moderna vaccine as well.

"Israel's Health Ministry said on Tuesday it found the small number of heart inflammation cases observed mainly in young men who received Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine in Israel were likely linked to their vaccination."
​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/israel-pfizer-myocarditis-1.6049766