COVID-19 ‘alarm’ in Ontario: Experts urge province to set up fourth doses as BA.5 spreads
Ontario's NDP and Liberal parties are calling on Doug Ford's Conservative government to expand eligibility for fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
"No one in Ontario wants to live through another rash of COVID-19 cases," a statement from interim Ontario NDP leader Peter Tabuns reads. "No one wants our loved ones at risk of getting sick."
"Experts are sounding the alarm that it’s time to start moving on second boosters. NACI is now recommending a round of booster shots. Our neighbours in Quebec have been rolling up their sleeves again for weeks now. It’s time for Doug Ford to tell Ontarians what the plan is for expanding access to fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine."
Many people have been asking about the rationale for Ontario’s criteria/restrictions for receiving a 4th dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
A clinic to provide 4th doses to people at risk, like frontline healthcare workers, has been cancelled
I have asked CMOH to provide an explanation pic.twitter.com/Gy1uGXBKMs— John Fraser (@JohnFraserOS) June 27, 2022
Last month, Ontario MPP for Ottawa South, John Fraser, wrote a letter to the province's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore, about expanding fourth dose eligibility.
"People are concerned and anxious," the letter reads. "A local clinic in Ottawa that was set to provide fourth doses to people at risk, such as front-line healthcare workers, has been cancelled and there are questions being raised over the waste of vaccines that are reaching their expiry date."
"It is also important to note that the Ontario Science Table has just recently reported that a news branch of COVID-19 Omicron variant BA.5 will become the dominant lineage in Ontario within a week."
Last week Canada's Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos, urged Canadians to get as many doses of a COVID-19 as they are eligible to receive.
"The immunity conferred by a primary series of vaccines administered in 2021 has now waned," Duclos said. "While you might have gotten infected, risk is high you could get re-infected with all the downfall, including the risk of developing symptoms of long COVID."
The COVID-19 virus is changing and Omicron has cruelly demonstrated that we will never be 'fully vaccinated' against COVID. Like the virus, our immunity also changes and Omicron showed us that two doses are not enough: we need to keep our vaccinations up to date... Being up to date with your vaccinations means that you received your last dose within the last nine months. If you have already received your first booster, find out if and when you will be eligible for another dose.Jean-Yves Duclos, Canada's Minister of Health
As people in the province navigate the summer with COVID-19, specifically with the BA.5 variant at this point, many health expert have taken to social media about where we stand and where they want the provincial government to take more action.
What will the BA.5 wave look like in Canada?
Can look at hospitalizations as a decent (but not sole) indicator of severity in regions that are weeks ahead of us.
Portugal/South Africa BA.5 waves receding - lower than recent waves.
UK & other European settings still rising. pic.twitter.com/Jiiaeck9LU— Isaac Bogoch (@BogochIsaac) July 2, 2022
There is some messaging going out there that vax efficacy against hospitalization and icu for 3 dose is weaning. It’s not. Data from Ontario, Portugal (ba4/5), and the uk (large confidence intervals) suggest for younger populations - the protection from hosp remains very good. pic.twitter.com/CHQu07EZT3
— Zain Chagla (@zchagla) July 3, 2022
NEW DATA: Omicron death rates in Ontario’s poorest regions have been DOUBLE those in the richest regions.
So when our government continues to "let COVID rip" without masks, ventilation or paid sick days, what they’re really saying is that it’s ok for the poor to get sick & die.— Naheed Dosani (@NaheedD) July 5, 2022
Key points:
1- There are myths that vaccines are causing increased deaths or vaccines do not work. Neither are true
2- We would have a MUCH HIGHER rate of death if not for vaccines
3- Over time there may be a trend of decreased protection by vaccines for many reasons
6/6 pic.twitter.com/cuXCy9560s— Sabina Vohra-Miller (@SabiVM) July 5, 2022
Ontario back to exponential growth, indicative of the poor leadership from Doug Ford, Kieran Moore, and public health units across the Province.
100 infections leading to 115, in about 3 days.
UPDATED DAILY, at https://t.co/gBHFvkyflU pic.twitter.com/oMWCx7Z50g— Ryan Imgrund (@imgrund) July 4, 2022
The next time you hear someone claim that “COVID is over,” or “it’s just a cold”…remember that since December 2021, Omicron has been more deadly for Ontario's seniors…than the previous two waves PUT TOGETHER.
— Dr. Amit Arya (@AmitAryaMD) July 5, 2022
Ontario needs to be proactive for the next COVID wave. With the news of Pfizer having an Omicron-adapted vaccine on the way, Ontario should be prepared for any scenario to deal with the next wave. This should immediately include paid sick days & access to testing. #onpoli
— Tyler Watt 🇨🇦 (@tylerwatt90) July 4, 2022