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A P R I L 2021 ME S S E NG E R
Pfizer has said its COVID-19 vaccine appears to work against the variants of the coronavirus discovered in the UK and South Africa. Moderna has announced that its COVID-19 vaccine elicited virus-neutralizing antibodies in trial participants that work against the new coronavirus variants found in the UK and South Africa in the laboratory setting. A two-dose regimen of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be protective against emerging strains detected to date. Both manufacturers continue to conduct further studies to learn more about this topic. I have recovered from COVID-19, should I still be immunized? Yes. The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for those who have had and recovered from COVID-19 infection as it is unknown how long immunity may last after recovering from COVID-19. Will the vaccine prevent me from getting COVID-19? Yes. Vaccines that have been licensed in Canada are demonstrating a high efficacy in preventing COVID-19 disease. For example, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been demonstrated to be over 90% effective. The vaccine is used both for preventing the occurrence of COVID-19 disease and diminishing the severity of the disease. At this time, based on the evidence submitted to Health Canada, it remains unknown how long the protection will last. The manufacturers are following the participants of clinical trials to assess their protection over time. International jurisdictions, Health Canada and Alberta Health will evaluate the data and promptly update the product information about how long the protection lasts and whether there may be a need for additional doses of the vaccine. Can immunized people spread the virus to others? There is limited evidence on whether someone who received the vaccine is able or not able to spread the virus. This will be monitored as more people in the community receive the vaccine. Everyone must continue to follow public health measures, regardless of their COVID-19 immunization status, to protect themselves, their loved ones, as well as people and communities at risk of more severe disease or outcomes from COVID-19. Can an immunized person get COVID-19? The currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines have demonstrated safety and high efficacy (over 90%), against symptomatic laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 disease within one to two weeks after receiving the full two-dose series. As the vaccines are not 100% effective, they may not work for a small percentage of recipients. A 90% vaccine efficacy suggests 10 in 100 immunized people is not protected, even after the two-dose immunization. In addition, people who are exposed to COVID-19 virus before their body mounts an adequate level of protection can also get infected. Vaccine effectiveness will continue to be evaluated as the COVID-19 immunization program is rolled out. Can I test positive for COVID-19 due to the vaccine? No. The mRNA vaccine does not contain any virus in it. It has only genetic instructions on how the cell can make one single coronavirus protein - spike protein. Therefore, this vaccine cannot make the virus and then lead to disease. Immunization will not result in a positive PCR test or a rapid molecular or antigen test.
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