THE VACCINE SERIES: COVID-19 uPDATES

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As mentioned in the Vaccine Development post of The Vaccine Series, the COVID-19 vaccine has been prioritized – and for good reason. The WHO, UNICEF and their partners are working together to help prepare the introduction of a COVID-19 vaccine in several countries, including Canada. This involves adaptable guidance, tools, training, and advocacy materials.

Canada has not flattened the curve since August. Yet, as some cities and provinces go into lockdown again, an end of the pandemic appears within sight as vaccines from AstraZeneca, Moderna and Pfizer have all started their applications for approval in Canada, with more likely to follow in the coming months. The final authorization will be given only after receiving the complete data packages, and these are expected as early as December 2020.

The federal government will work closely with provinces and territories to assess their supply chains and capacity for distribution, and advice from the national advisory committee on immunization will be taken to determine who the priority groups should be. To save time between getting regulatory approval and the vaccination process, the vaccines would be distributed in Canada once it has authorization to do so from Health Canada. Immunization can take place as early as January 2021, provided that the logistics go smoothly.

According to Christine Elliot, Ontario’s Health Minister, Canada expects to begin receiving millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines early in the new year. The country is set to get 4 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine between January and March as well as 2 million doses of Moderna’s vaccine. Elliot mentioned that 1.6 million doses of the Pfizer and 800,000 of the Moderna vaccines are destined for Ontario. Elliott says both Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines require two shots, 21 days apart, which will provide a significant logistical challenge for authorities.

Below is an on-going timeline of the latest updates surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines:
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NOVEMBER 2020
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AstraZeneca
The company claims its COVID-19 vaccine could be about 90% effective, and can be cheaper to make, easier to distribute and faster to scale-up than its rivals’ contenders. This efficacy was achieved when it was administered as a half dose followed by a full dose a month later, according to late-stage trial data. However, its efficacy fell to 62% when given as two full doses. No serious safety events were confirmed according to the company. It scores over Moderna and Pfizer vaccines by being cheaper and not having stringent cold chain requirements. 

Pfizer
The company intends to seek approval for emergency use of its novel coronavirus vaccine after new test results show that it is 95% effective, safe, and works to protect vulnerable older adults. Pfizer ends the COVID-19 trial with 95% efficacy and seeks emergency-use authorization.
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Moderna
The company has indicated its vaccine has an efficacy of 94.5%. Storage of the vaccine requires refrigerated temperatures, and the vaccine has a 30-day half-life.

Written by: Shwetabh Mohapatra (Communications Committee Member)
Edited by: Victoria Lun (Vice President of Communications)

References:
https://www.raps.org/news-and-articles/news-articles/2020/3/covid-19-vaccine-tracker
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/covid-19-vaccines
https://www.macleans.ca/society/health/covid-vaccines-when-will-canada-approve-one-when-will-you-get-it/
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-evening-update-astrazeneca-releases-covid-19-vaccine-data-liberals/
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canada-expects-to-begin-receiving-covid-19-vaccines-in-early-202/
https://www.modernatx.com/modernas-work-potential-vaccine-against-covid-19
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