Today the UK did something that is being heralded as historic: they were the first in the world to approve a COVID-19 vaccine for use in their country. What does that mean? What does that mean for Canada? Quick thread. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/02/what-does-britains-historic-covid-19-vaccine-approval-mean-for-canada.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=Health&utm_content=
Wait, which vaccine? This is the one made by Pfizer (very big, very experienced drug company) and BioNTech (scrappy Germany startup pioneering groundbreaking mRNA technology). Pros: looks to be v effective. Cons: has to be stored at -70C. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/11/09/trudeau-hails-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-news-as-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel.html
What does "approved" mean? So there are two major steps here, broadly speaking. Pfizer was responsible for clinical testing, which saw them give their vaccine to 43K+ people around the world. But each country must then decide whether to allow it. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/09/12/should-we-infect-volunteers-with-covid-19-to-test-potential-vaccines-the-dilemma-of-human-challenge-testing.html
What is Canada doing? Federal scientists have been working on the same thing for weeks. In order to speed up all things COVID, the feds are allowing what's called a rolling submission. Here's a Health Canada expert explaining it: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/11/27/covid-19-vaccines-a-top-health-canada-expert-answers-our-questions-about-how-approval-will-work.html
When will they be done? Canadian officials have said they're working towards a decision by about mid December, which would put them in line with the US and Europe. Then, and only then, can we think about rolling it out. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/11/26/first-covid-19-vaccine-could-be-approved-in-canada-next-month-on-similar-timeline-to-us.html
What then? Federal officials have long said that our first vaccine doses will roll out early next year, and we should get enough for 3M people by March. As one doc I talked to put it, there are pros and cons to being very first. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/02/what-does-britains-historic-covid-19-vaccine-approval-mean-for-canada.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=Health&utm_content=
Things to watch? As mentioned, Health Canada should make a decision on Pfizer by mid December, but Moderna and AstraZeneca aren't far behind. HC plans to release info on each decision when it happens, so you'll be able to read those too. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/02/what-does-britains-historic-covid-19-vaccine-approval-mean-for-canada.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=Health&utm_content=