By: Hermione Cabie Santos
The New Year 2021 focuses on the many victories of the scientific community
as the rollout of authorized COVID-19 vaccines (from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) will continue to reach designated populations in Ontario. As of December 24th, a total of 10,756 doses of this messenger RNA (mRNA) 2-dose vaccine have been administered and counting.
Based on statements from the pharmaceutical giants, both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, suggest safety and efficacy of their vaccines, with reported 95% efficacy and 94% efficacy (in adults) after the second dose for Pfizer/BioNTech (recommended for ages 16 and up) and Moderna (recommended for ages 18 and up), respectively.
The question we often hear is: Where are we in the order of vaccination priority?
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), the body which gives vaccine recommendations approved for human use in Canada and the identification of targeted populations for vaccine delivery, has given guidelines on the vaccine rollout. Due to limited vaccine supply, the prioritization (based on ethical decision-making) will be done in stages.
Stage 1 will be offered to individuals without contraindications in the following populations:
- Congregate living settings that provide care for seniors (residents and staff)
- Adults 70 years of age and older, beginning with adults 80 years of age and older
- Health care workers (including workers in healthcare settings, personal support workers with direct patient contact)
- Adults in Indigenous communities (First Nations, Metis, Inuit, etc)
Stage 2 will be offered to individuals without contraindications in the following populations, as vaccine becomes more available:
- Health care workers not included in the initial rollout
- Residents and staff of all other congregate settings (quarters for migrant workers, correctional facilities, homeless shelters)
- Essential workers
COVID-19 vaccines may also be offered to those who previously tested positive to the polymerase chain reaction SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, due to current limited vaccine supply, priority will be for those who have not previously tested positive.
Worth knowing that there is limited data on the safety and efficacy of these vaccines in pregnancy/breastfeeding populations, the immune-compromised, those with autoimmune diseases and the 15 years and below age group.
Let us be mindful that until extensive immunization is achieved, we must continue to social distance, observe frequent handwashing and wear masks/face cover as advised by Health Canada.
Back home, things are also looking up in the Philippines for the anti-COVID vaccine during the Christmas season, and past the welcome celebration of 2021. The Department of Health (DOH) authorities predict the possibility that this would be made available in the country once approved.
An official of the government’s Department of Science and Technology declared that the availability of the anti-coronavirus vaccine may happen in the second semester of 2021. However, the DOH will require roughly P12.1 billion to purchase vaccine doses for priority populations of healthcare workers and indigent groups.
FDA Philippines’ Director-General has reported to President Duterte that any vaccine strictly approved by the government’s regulatory body must pass the minimal requirement of clinical trials in other Asian countries, which have a similar climate like the Philippines.
With scientists from the United Kingdom identifying a new variant of COVID-19, which appears to be more contagious and genetically distinct, our understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is greatly evolving. One thing for certain remains, how we respond as a Canadian community (Filipino and world community) will be documented in history and, hopefully, equally instructional in the prevention of another threat to mankind.
Resources:
Health Canada
National Advisory Committee on Immunization, Canada
Department of Health (DOH), Philippines
Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Philippines