Although the numbers of new cases of COVID-19 are stabilizing across Canada, an upsurge is “possible” during the summer with the arrival of the new BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the family Omicron, warns Federal Public Health.
These variants have a “growth advantage” over the others, said the Deputy Administrator of the Public Health Agency of Canada, Dr. Howard Njoo, in a press briefing on Friday to provide an update on the situation of the disease. COVID-19 and monkeypox.
The federal agency observed that the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants have gained ground in recent weeks.
“We also have indications that there may be an immune escape for BA.4 and BA.5. We see what is happening in other countries in Europe, for example in Portugal. It is possible that we could have a resurgence to come, ”he detailed, accompanied by the chief administrator of federal public health, Dr. Theresa Tam.
Separately, Dr. Njoo confirmed that Health Canada has received a request from Moderna for the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine to children under the age of five. The United States on Friday authorized vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna for toddlers as young as six months old.
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