Q: How effective is [the AstraZeneca vaccine] compared to other vaccines?
A: When it comes to just one dose, which is all most people in Canada are gonna have for the next few months, the mRNA vaccines have similar effectiveness to the AstraZeneca.
Let me elaborate on findings from this Scottish study:
If you were to get the AstraZeneca vaccine *tomorrow*, in a month you could expect up to a 94% reduced risk of hospitalization from COVID w/ just the 1 dose.
Q: Can you explain the risks for persons between ages 30-55 who choose to take this?
A: Based off a COVID incidence of ~60 per 100k, for all age groups, the AstraZeneca vax offers far more protection against ICU admission for COVID than risks from clots.
Q: Everyone wants to know if getting [the AstraZeneca] vax means you can't get a more "effective" vaccine later?
A: All vaccines approved in Canada are = effective at preventing hospitalization & death. If that changes, we're testing mixing & matching + boosters.
Don't worry.
Q: Are there signs of developing a blood clot that we can look out for?
A: Symptoms of the very rare blood clots with low platelets that can happen after AstraZeneca vaccination typically start 4-20 days after the first dose.
Q: My mom is worried abt AZ because she has a family history of blood clots... Concerning or no?
A: Blood clots w/ low platelets are atypical, so having a fam history or underlying med condition, or being on certain meds may or not be relevant. I'm not sure, pls ask your doctor!
Q: Would taking ibuprofen daily after receiving AZ reduce risk of clots?
A: This has not been recommended by any officials, nor unofficially recommended by any experts I know. If you have a fever or pain you can take meds, but otherwise it hasn't been studied yet so not advised.
Q: Do you expect the age group to open up for AZ to under 55?
(This was VERY popular -- lots of young people are interested in AZ!)
A: Health Canada maintains authorization for those 18+ (canada.ca/en/health-cana…), we are still waiting for NACI's independent review & statement.
Q: I'm trying to get pregnant .... chance it affects my or my partner's fertility outcomes?
A: There is NO known or theoretical risk that ANY of the vaccines authorized for use in Canada will cause infertility.
Learn more about the risk/benefit analysis for the AstraZeneca vaccine here:
Spoiler: if you're 30+, regardless of COVID exposure risk, the benefits far outweigh the risks.
And if you're at high risk of COVID exposure the benefits are greater at any age
For those interested, some popular Qs I didn't get to:
- efficacy & effectiveness against variants of concern
- risks/benefits with underlying conditions
- contraindications if on certain meds
- ideal dosing schedule
- if AZ vax unclaimed, can people come early for dose 2
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I was very lucky to get to chat with virologist @angie_rasmussen about rapid antigen tests.
This short video (also on IG here: instagram.com/tv/CXmHYnkLVQ2…) shares 2 key things we want you to know before using them over the holidays ⤵️
[& 🧵with more info]
1⃣ Use the rapid antigen test RIGHT before you see others. The result is relevant for hours, not days.
2⃣ Rapid antigen tests are great, but not as good as PCR at detecting infections from the last 2-3 days. Factor in what you’ve done the last 3 days when interpreting -ve result
In the video, I show the example below to demonstrate how quickly viral load, and thus rapid test results, can change:
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to @horsepharmer who, in the true compassionate form of so many of our community pharmacists, went out of his way to help me find a local pharmacy that would do an at-home vaccination.
I didn’t know that was even a possibility!!
Our conversation inspired me to contact TO public health, & they let me know about the at-home vaccination program run by Toronto Paramedic Services.
I was very hesitant to take a spot in this program in case there was limited availability, but they were so happy to include me.
Q1: How do we know the COVID vaccines are safe in the long-term?
A1: The vaccine product doesn't last more than a few days/weeks in your body, only immunity does. Like with other vax, rare but serious effects happen in the short-term, within 2-3 months 👇🏼