Watched vaccine webinars Alberta Health Services and Public Health Agency of Canada, now sharing takeaway points. This vaccine is critical, lucky that the ones approved by Health Canada 95% effective. You’ll need both doses – same manufacturer – for the vaccine to work.
(1/10)

Normal vaccine development means the companies raise funds to do the research and await bureaucratic checkpoints. Health Canada normally has long administrative processes, which were bypassed – the logistics - the safety, efficacy, and quality were still in place.
(2/10)

Our first vaccine has mRNA, like a messenger with a copy of 1/26 “spike proteins” of the virus. The message to our immune system mounts a response when it sees the same protein. The message cannot be enveloped by our DNA and it's unstable enough to need cold storage.
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We have the typical Phase 3 trials on this vaccine. Pending is Phase 4, new safety issues and adverse events that are collected over time – some data is available from initial trials. These “post-market activities” are being shared globally and will be shared in Canada.
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Children under 16, pregnant and breastfeeding womyn, and immune compromised or with autoimmune conditions – we do not have enough data. But ongoing trials will answer these questions for safety and effect. For now, it's not advised.
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There are 4 vaccines reviewed / under review in Canada. One reason for this quick development was the available funding as well as the anticipation of a coronavirus pandemic that was predictable by epidemiologists, so research has been ongoing for years. (Katalin Kariko!)
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We don't know how long immunity is by either infection or by vaccine, but experts say vaccine immunity is more enhanced and longer. People who have had COVID-19 illness should still be vaccinated, after others go and symptoms have gone. We may need another jab next year.
(7/10)

Until enough have been vaccinated, with a problem of hesitancy, we'll need to continue masking / physical distancing / improving ventilation – until we have achieved sufficient herd immunity. We don’t want “natural” herd immunity through infection, killing millions.
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The allergies are quite specific – to polyethylene glycol – and so even though they’re warning everyone, it’s quite unlikely that there is cross-reactivity. These are found in cosmetics, bowel preparations, and foods. If you’re unsure, get referred to an allergist.
(9/10)

Even when you’re vaccinated, you could catch a mild version – even no symptoms which could still transmit to others. It’s why we need enough people to vaccinate – 60-70% of folx to protect our community - and AB has a lot of hesitancy. Spread the word…
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