COVID-19
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Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of profound transformation and anticipation. However, it also brings a heightened sense of vulnerability to infections, particularly during the respiratory illness season. In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore the significance of flu and updated COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant individuals, addressing safety, efficacy, and the role these vaccines play in preventing serious complications. Understanding the Risks During Pregnancy Pregnancy naturally alters a woman’s immune system, heart, and lungs. These changes, while crucial for the development of the fetus, can make expectant mothers more susceptible to severe illnesses from respiratory viruses. Notably, illnesses like influenza (flu) and COVID-19 pose a substantial risk during pregnancy. The Flu and Pregnancy…
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Preparing for the Fall Respiratory Season
As the leaves change and the temperatures drop, British Columbia is bracing for the annual respiratory season. But unlike the typical cold and flu seasons of the past, the ongoing threat of COVID-19 adds a layer of complexity to our preparation and response. It’s essential to be informed and proactive to ensure a safer and healthier autumn. Why Fall is Different With the onset of the colder months, respiratory illnesses, including the common cold, flu, and now COVID-19, tend to become more prevalent. As people retreat indoors to stay warm, the likelihood of transmission increases due to close proximity and reduced ventilation. The convergence of these illnesses can strain our…
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Living with Long-COVID
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, many individuals are experiencing lingering and prolonged symptoms long after their initial infection has cleared. This phenomenon, known as “long-COVID,” or “post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection” (PASC), has been garnering increased attention from researchers and healthcare professionals alike. Long-COVID is a condition where individuals experience a wide range of symptoms that last for weeks or even months after recovering from the acute phase of COVID-19. While the exact causes of long-COVID are not yet fully understood, it is believed to be the result of the body’s immune response to the virus, persistent inflammation, or the virus itself causing ongoing damage to the body.…
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Unanimous Vote for XBB-Centric COVID-19 Vaccine
Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax, key vaccine manufacturers, have presented evidence before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) vaccine committee, illustrating that their experimental vaccines induce similarly potent antibody responses against the XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 variants of the virus. Furthermore, they have demonstrated that these vaccines also show efficacy against other emerging variants like XBB.2.3. The genetic differences among these XBB strains, according to these manufacturers, are negligible — limited to just two or three modifications. This implies that, from the perspective of the immune system, these variants are nearly identical. Given this data, the FDA’s 21-member vaccine committee unanimously proposed an overhaul of the existing COVID-19 vaccine, moving from…
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COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccines
Since the start of the global pandemic, a lot of headway has been made – including what we know about the COVID-19 virus, how it transmits, how it affects people, and the types of treatment methods that are available – specifically with the use of vaccines. While vaccines are not 100% foolproof, they remain the best course of action when it comes to protecting yourself as well as others around you, and can prevent serious illness or death from occurring should you happen to contract COVID-19. Because vaccine immunity can wane over time, booster vaccines are an important part of staying protected against COVID-19 – especially as we begin to…
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Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions
Earlier this week, the B.C. Government announced that COVID-19 restrictions would be easing – beginning with the mask mandate, which has now been lifted. While you will still be required to wear a mask in certain settings, such as healthcare facilities (i.e., doctors’ offices), it is now up to British Columbians to decide, based on their own comfort level, whether they want to continue wearing a mask in other settings. For those who are not ready to stop wearing a face mask, or for individuals who are at high-risk of contracting COVID-19 (for example, if you are clinically extremely vulnerable/immunocompromised), the recommendation is that you continue to wear a mask…
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New Restrictions to Help Curb Omicron Spread
With the Omicron variant now accounting for the recent rise in COVID-19 numbers (with British Columbia seeing its highest case count ever at 1,528 new cases announced Wednesday – those numbers expected to go even higher in the days to come), the Provincial government, on Tuesday, announced several new restrictions that went into effect at midnight which will be in place until at least January 18th in effort to help curb the spread of the virus. These latest measures announced include the cancellation of all indoor events regardless of size – as well as the closure of gyms, dance studios, night clubs, and capacity reduction in places like restaurants and…
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Omicron Variant
As we’ve seen with COVID-19, there have been several variants of the virus that have emerged since the start of the pandemic. It is not uncommon for viruses (such as influenza, for example), to change over time – while some viruses will remain the same. When viruses like COVID-19 do change and mutate, they are closely monitored by public health officials. Among the most talked about variants of COVID-19 are the Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1) and Delta (B.1.617.2) variants – with the Delta variant currently accounting for the majority of COVID-19 cases in British Columbia and around the world. A variant of COVID-19 is deemed a VOC (Variant…
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COVID-19 Booster Vaccines
Along with other layers of protection such as physical distancing, good hand hygiene, staying home when sick, and mask-wearing, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the best measures in fighting this pandemic. If you’ve received two doses of an mRNA vaccine, it is highly recommended that you get a booster vaccine. Getting a COVID-19 booster vaccine can help maintain and lengthen your protection against the virus. “Why do I need a booster vaccine?” While vaccines are highly protective against the development of serious illness (or even death) as a result of COVID-19, studies have shown some waning of vaccine effectiveness over time – with an increase in susceptibility in…
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British Columbia’s Vaccine Card
For almost two years, British Columbians have had to take certain measures to keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe from COVID-19 – including testing, physical distancing, limiting or avoiding non-essential services and travel, mask-wearing, and most recently, vaccines. Now, another layer of protection will soon be coming into effect. Starting September 13th, and by order of Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbians aged 12 and older will be required to show proof of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination (two doses by October 24th) if they want to access certain services, businesses, and events. “Where will I be required to show proof of vaccination?” You…
