Thread by @awong37

Earlier today, @PremierScottMoe posted a letter. In it, he stated:

- Being vaccinated DOES NOT prevent one from contracting #COVID19
- Vaccines are NOT reducing transmission of #COVID19

Both statements are FALSE & should be corrected ASAP for the record. Thank you.

🧵 (/1)

Many studies show 3 doses of mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) provides 60-70% protection (vaccine effectiveness, VE) vs Omicron infection.

If you don't get infected, then you don't transmit the virus. Simple.

So being vaccinated, esp. w/ 3 doses, makes a HUGE difference. (/2)

Here is a recent pre-print from Moderna showing ~68% VE against Omicron infection with 3 doses of vaccine.

Also, VE to prevent hospitalization w/ Omicron following 3 doses was >99%. That's HUGE. (/3)

medrxiv.org/content/10.110…

Here is Canadian pre-print data published yesterday from colleagues in #ON showing ~61% VE against Omicron infection with 3 doses of vaccine.

More importantly, 95% reduction in severe illness with 3 doses of vaccine. Again, HUGE. (/4)

medrxiv.org/content/10.110…

Another recently published study in JAMA showing that having 3 doses of mRNA vaccine significantly reduces (by about 2/3rds) the likelihood of testing positive w/ Omicron vs. being unvaccinated or having 2 doses of vaccine. (/5)

jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/…

I could keep posting endless studies, but you get the idea.

Even though Omicron IS far more contagious compared to previous variants, 3 doses of vaccine makes a REMARKABLE difference BOTH in reducing your chances of being infected (~60-70%) AND getting really sick (95%+). (/6)

As we navigate Saskatchewan's Omicron surge, the scientific evidence AND public health guidance BOTH point OVERWHELMINGLY to a focus on getting as many persons optimally vaccinated with 2 or 3 doses as we can.

We must protect our already overwhelmed health care system. (/7)

Earlier this week, Premier Moe labeled peer-reviewed work from @MoriartyLab "egregious misinformation".

Tara's work, rigorously done & reviewed by the likes of @DFisman, suggests #SK's death toll from #COVID19 is several times higher than reported. (/8)

thestarphoenix.com/news/local-new…

Our Premier asked our media outlets to retract their stories regarding Tara's work.

Oops. Tara's work isn't "misinformation". It's actual SCIENCE.

Now, ironically, our Premier is dangerously undermining the #SK vaccine push by circulating false information on vaccines. (/9)

Courtesy @Craig_A_Spencer, here's the INCREDIBLE real-world efficacy of vaccination on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in New York City.

Pictures are worth literally millions of words. (/10)

Lastly, if you want even more data, here's a SUPERB thread on vaccine effectiveness against Omicron from #SK's own @angie_rasmussen that summarizes pretty much everything as only she can, with a unique combination of sass, wit, and knowledge. (/11)

I hope our Premier corrects these statements ASAP. #SK citizens listen to every word he says.

It would be very unfortunate if they assumed that vaccines don't do what we know they do, because of this "misinformation", whether accidental or otherwise. (/12)

In summary:

Being fully boosted DOES significantly reduce the chances of getting infected w/ Omicron.

Vaccines DO reduce transmission of Omicron.

Vaccines DO keep nearly everyone out of hospital & ICU.

For yourself & those around you, get fully vaccinated!

Be safe.

(/end)