Federal Public Health is “working as quickly as possible” to approve new vaccines suitable for Omicron from Moderna and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, but no date has yet been set. On the eve of a potential eighth wave of COVID-19 this fall, getting a booster dose with the current vaccine is a “top priority.”
Posted at 12:29 p.m.
This was argued on Friday by the Chief Administrator of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Dr.D Theresa Tam, and her deputy, Dr.r Howard Njoo. “Health Canada is working very hard to review Moderna’s and Pfizer’s applications for the bivalent vaccine. I know that the work is done as quickly as possible, ”said the DD Tam.
She also assured that Canada will have “enough” doses of this new vaccine, supposed to offer more protection against the Omicron variant, when it is approved. “When you look at the current vaccine, it remains effective and it restores your protection”, however persisted the DD Tam, adding that people who wait for approval of the bivalent vaccine will “put themselves at risk” of contracting the virus this fall, or even suffering more serious complications.
Health Canada also authorized Friday a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years. This is the first COVID-19 vaccine authorized as a booster dose in this age group. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends a primary series of two doses for children with no contraindications, with an interval of at least eight weeks between the first and second dose.
On Monday, the United Kingdom announced that it had approved Moderna’s next-generation COVID-19 vaccine, targeting the Omicron variant. It was then a first in the world. In Quebec, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) has already assured that it is ready to start.
“The bivalent vaccine could be made available during the current campaign. The latter can be distributed quickly, if necessary, explains spokesperson Robert Maranda. Québec is closely monitoring developments in the situation and communicates frequently with the federal government to this effect. At this time, no information is available regarding the approval process. A meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), however, is scheduled for August 25. “Quebec will make sure to order its share of the bivalent vaccine as soon as it is made available,” certified Mr. Maranda.
The specter of an eighth wave
“We need to be prepared for renewed activity and potential new virus variants in the coming months, particularly as part of the fall with the return to work and school. The update of the vaccination is an absolute priority”, insisted the Dr Howard Njoo, Friday.
In his eyes, the time is perfect to “stock up on good quality masks and rapid tests”. For public and private establishments, he even suggests “making an appointment now” to improve ventilation as much as possible “in order to optimize the circulation of clean air”.
Even if “the timing or severity of a fall or winter wave is uncertain”, it is important to prepare for it, he maintained, recalling that children can also suffer serious complications linked to the virus, even if the risks are “lower”.
In the longer term, governments will also have to prepare for possible other pandemics, again mentioned the DD Tam, talking about ways to predict the appearance of a new virus, including a better supply of medical equipment. “We have to think long term and be prepared. It may not happen for a number of years, but it is likely that one day it will. And we don’t want to be in the same position again,” she said.
Update on monkeypox
As of August 19, there were 1,168 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Canada, including 30 hospitalizations, mostly men who have sex with men. The virus is still under “increased surveillance” nationally and globally. PHAC still recommends adopting “safe” sex practices and having “fewer sexual partners, especially anonymous partners,” to reduce the risk of infection.