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The routine immunization schedule here in Canada was developed for a reason: to provide optimal protection from vaccine-preventable diseases (1).
Yes, because of a more infectious sub-variant (Omicron BA.2), relatively low booster coverage, and relaxing protection measures: health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/epide…
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Feelings of isolation (1) and uncertainty due to events outside your control (2) are a recipe for radicalization. It’s no wonder the pandemic has amplified conspiracy theories. 😰
A recent safety report by Pfizer has been seized upon by misinformers. There’s nothing particularly new or scary about it, despite the #Pfizer#VaccineSideEffects hashtags circulating online.
Let’s dig in on how this data has been misrepresented 👇
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#ScienceUpFirst
Part of the mix up comes from a misunderstanding of “adverse events”.
Adverse events (AEs) ≠ side effects
AEs may or may not be related to a treatment (e.g. vaccines) and they are monitored for both treatment groups and placebo groups.
A single definition of “endemic” is tough to pin down (1). But epidemiologists say it’s when the rates of a disease are constant - not rising and not falling (2).
Heard some sketchy stuff about the COVID-19 vaccine and your immune system?
This thread breaks down the myths 👇
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#ScienceUpFirst
Myth: “COVID-19 vaccines created an HIV variant”
Reality: COVID-19 vaccines are not responsible for an HIV variant circulating in the Netherlands. A misrepresented study actually says the variant likely emerged in the 1990s.
Last month we put out a series of Misinformer Tactics in collaboration with the amazing illustrator Jordan Collver (@JordanCollver).
Here is a recap of what to look out for 👇
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#ScienceUpFirst
Astroturf? It looks like real grass, but it’s fake.
Similarly, Astroturfing is a practice where a message *appears* to have authentic grassroots support… but is really operated by just a few individuals.
Anecdotal reports find reinfections happening weeks apart. Experts expect it is possible to catch Omicron more than once. Scientists are currently assessing how often reinfections occur and who is at most risk.
We’ve heard this line of thinking from our friends and family. But we’re here to tell you that getting COVID-19 isn’t inevitable and now isn’t the time to throw our hands in the air.
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#ScienceUpFirst
Omicron spreads very easily, and hospitalizations are climbing.
Between Jan 3 and Jan 10, COVID-19 hospitalizations in Canada jumped from 4,113 to 6,926 and 290 more COVID-19 patients were admitted to an ICU (2).
We’re here to set the record straight on spike proteins.
Here’s why the spike proteins generated via the vaccine are safe, activate an effective immune response, and are *not the same* as the spike on the virus.
Health Canada approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for kids 5-11 today. 🥳
NACI has also provided recommendations on how best to use the vaccines, including dose interval.
Let’s discuss why they recommend at least 8 weeks between doses.
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#ScienceUpFirst
You may have noticed that Health Canada authorized the COVID-19 vaccine with doses 3 weeks apart. But NACI is recommending doses at least 8 weeks apart.
BREAKING: Health Canada authorizes use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children 5 to 11 years of age. 💉
Keep reading for more information.
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#ScienceUpFirst
Health Canada has completed a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence. They have determined that this vaccine is safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 for children between 5 and 11 years of age.