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The vaccine that targets Omicron under the magnifying glass

Moderna’s revised version of the COVID-19 vaccine specially focusing on the Omicron variant will be readily available to all immunocompromised adolescents and grownups in the coming days. Overview of this announcement in 8 questions.

Posted yesterday at 19:21


Alice Girard-Bosse

Alice Girard-Bosse
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What is the bivalent vaccine?

This new edition of the vaccine targets the two the original coronavirus strain and the sub-variant Omicron BA.1, consequently the time period bivalent. “It aims to extend the expression of safety and will assistance us cope with the following waves,” explained the director of the Federal Ministry of Health’s Office environment of Health-related Sciences, the Dr Marc Berthiaume, in a press convention on Thursday early morning.

So far, COVID-19 vaccines accredited in Canada have only focused the unique strain of the virus. Because the commence of the pandemic, nevertheless, the virus has continued to mutate, proving more and more able of evading the immune defenses. Every dose of this new vaccine will hence have 25 µg of messenger RNA focusing on the initial virus strain and 25 µg specifically focusing on the Omicron sub-variant. “They are fundamentally two vaccines in 1,” spelled out Dr.r Bertiaume.

Who can obtain the bivalent vaccine?

It will be made available to all grownups. Teens 12-17 several years of age with average or intense immunosuppression or with biological or social threat aspects that set them at substantial threat for intense COVID-19 outcomes will also profit from this new model of the vaccine. Its use in minors, nevertheless, is not officially approved.

When will it be offered?

On Friday, 780,000 doses of the bivalent vaccine will arrive in the country, Federal Overall health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos explained at a press convention Thursday afternoon. In addition, 10.5 million doses will be sent by the finish of September. “They will be swiftly sent to the provinces and territories”, claimed the minister, including that the provide “will not be a problem”.

What is the reward of having a vaccine targeting the BA.1 subvariant if the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants are dominant in Quebec?

Even though the vaccine specially targets the BA.1 sub-variant, scientific trial results recommend that it creates a more powerful immune response from Omicron’s BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants than Moderna’s authentic COVID-19 vaccine.

Why does Canada not but have accessibility to Pfizer’s and Moderna’s bivalent vaccines precisely targeting sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5, as is the case in the United States?

Since Well being Canada has not nevertheless acquired a ask for from the two pharmaceutical companies. “We count on Pfizer’s presentation as early as future 7 days. We also had discussions with Moderna and we anticipate them to current their case as nicely in just the subsequent two weeks, ”said Well being Canada Senior Health care Advisor Dr.ref. Supriya Sharma.

Minister Duclos, however, recalled that the two variations of bivalent vaccines have “quite a few similarities”, considering the fact that they level “to the exact same spouse and children as Omicron”.

Is it a good idea to postpone the appointment for the booster dose, to make certain I have the new bivalent vaccine?

No, suggests the Countrywide Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), which argues that men and women eligible for drop booster doses, specifically these at amplified risk of intense outcomes from COVID-19, need to not delay scheduled vaccination to get the bivalent vaccine. .

“The greatest defense is to choose the booster dose as shortly as we are healthy,” mentioned Canadian Main General public Overall health Officer Dr.ref. Theresa Tam, recalling that the recent vaccine continues to be extremely effective.

Is the bivalent vaccine involved with new aspect effects?

No. “This new vaccine is equivalent to Moderna’s previously authorised Spikevax and is affiliated with the exact gentle facet effects that wear off speedily,” explained Dr.r Bertiaume. In reality, the knowledge to day have shown no dissimilarities among the two vaccines concerning the pitfalls of myocarditis and pericarditis just after a booster dose.

Can youngsters under 12 acquire the bivalent vaccine?

No. Nonetheless, kids in between the ages of 5 and 11 can now advantage from a booster dose with the primary vaccine, the Dref. For what.

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