Pfizer’s updated COVID-19 booster significantly revved up adults’ virus-fighting antibodies, the company said Friday, releasing early findings from a rigorous study of the new shots. Booster doses tweaked to target the most common Omicron strain rolled out in early September, and the Food and Drug Administration said the latest data should spur more Americans to … Read more
Don’t feel well? Quebec’s top doctor says to stay home — even if you don’t have COVID-19. Luc Boileau, director of the province’s public health department, said Wednesday that novel coronavirus indicators seem to be improving since the middle of October. But he said problem is that it’s “not the only virus that’s circulating, there … Read more
With most Americans delaying or skipping new COVID-19 booster shots, analysts and investors are now predicting far fewer will be given each year, pushing the number of shots well below annual flu vaccinations. With fewer shots needed, vaccine makers including Pfizer Inc., partner BioNTech, rival Moderna Inc. and Novavax Inc. could have to hike prices … Read more
Canadians should get vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza to reduce the “danger” of needing other health measures this winter, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says. Speaking at an Ottawa-area event on Monday, Trudeau urged inoculation against the two respiratory viruses to protect the health-care system from dealing with preventable admissions. “One of things to remember as … Read more
Quebec is seeing a rise in COVID-19 indicators as the fall season begins, but the province’s top doctor stopped short of declaring a new wave of the pandemic, saying it was too early to do so Thursday. Luc Boileau, director of Quebec public health, said “it’s not a surprise” that cases and hospitalizations are on … Read more
Some long COVID patients suffering symptoms including fatigue and shortness of breath are showing signs of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, suggests a Canadian study that builds on similar findings elsewhere. Manali Mukherjee, who led the study and is a respiratory researcher at McMaster University in Hamilton, said two specific abnormal antibodies, or … Read more
Some British Columbians have begun receiving text messages to book a booster shot, as the province’s fall COVID-19 vaccination campaign gets underway. The campaign is launching with a focus on vulnerable groups, including health-care workers, the clinically extremely vulnerable, Indigenous people and seniors. And for the first time, a bivalent version of Moderna’s mRNA vaccine … Read more
Quebec is allowing anyone 18 and older to sign up for COVID-19 booster shots ahead of schedule as the school year begins and the fall season looms. Luc Boileau, the province’s public health director, announced adults of all ages could book their appointments starting Tuesday — instead of next week as previously planned. “We want … Read more
By Staff The Canadian Press Posted August 22, 2022 12:08 pm Smaller font Descrease article font size –A Larger font Increase article font size A+ Quebec’s Health Department is allowing long-term care centres to house up to four residents in the same room — a new directive that runs against recommendations by the coroner. Jean-Charles … Read more
As fall approaches, experts are urging Canadian governments to create new COVID-19 vaccine campaigns to try and boost the country’s stagnant inoculation rate to avoid overwhelming an already strained health-care system. About 82 per cent of the entire population is fully vaccinated, with roughly half receiving a third dose and just 11 per cent getting … Read more