Did We Get Caught Unprepared - Again?

 


Did  Canada's health authorities - federal and provincial - leave us yet again unprepared? Were they slow in rolling out the booster shot deemed essential to thwart the deadly effects of the Omicron Covid variant?

While demand is high for third doses of COVID-19 vaccine, the supply can’t keep up, and experts say we can’t beat the Omicron variant wave through vaccination alone.

“There isn’t time,” said Colin Furness, an infection control epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Toronto.

“The fact of the matter is that we have millions of these to deliver and we need time to do that. And we also need time for them to take effect.”

Meanwhile, as Canada plays "catch up" with booster shots we're hearing that 2+1 may not be enough. We may need a fourth shot to fight Omicron.

Germany's health minister says it will take four shots.

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has said that a fourth vaccination will be necessary in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic due to the more contagious Omicron variant.

He said that Germany has ordered 80 million doses of a vaccine made by Biontech specifically targeting Omicron and should arrive in April or May.

Israel is already offering a fourth vaccine shot (should we call it V-4?) to those over 60. 

About two weeks ago Pfizer warned a V-4 might be needed to fend off Omicron.

Once again we seem to have been caught unawares, unprepared. This time by a virus variant with a 2-day doubling time. It's a bit early yet for anyone to be taking a victory lap.

With the plague set to strike hard again, Transport Canada is warning Canadians with the urge to travel that they may have a very hard time getting in again.

“Should Canadians choose to travel outside Canada, they need to recognize travel plans may be severely disrupted and they may be forced to remain outside of Canada longer than expected,” read the notice.

It added, “Canadians should not depend on the Government of Canada for assistance related to changes to travel plans.”

Comments

  1. Northern PoVDecember 23, 2021 at 10:17 AM

    imo, Bonnie Henry has gone for hero to zero and the BC NDP gov't public health 'competency' now matches their 'competency' in resource management and indigenous relations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Disaffected LibDecember 23, 2021 at 1:13 PM

      NPoV, I may not entirely share your view on Dr. Henry but we're on the same page on the NDP. BTW Merry Christmas!

      Delete

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