Covid-19 variants just won't wait for a Canadian vaccine

The NPC Healthbiz Weekly is back to inform you through 2021. It's your weekly briefing on topics pertinent to healthcare marketers and executives published in cooperation with Peak Pharma Solutions. From Chronicle Companies, organizers of the National Pharmaceutical Congress Winter Webinar Feb. 10, 2021. More info at pharmacongress.info 

⇒ Issue #160 (In numerology, 160 signifies introspection and self-determination,)

⇒ Worldwide Covid cases as of 02/04: 104,484,972*

⇒ Worldwide Covid fatalities as of 02/04: 2,270,860*

⇒ Confirmed Covid cases in Canada as of 02/04: 794,412*
⇒ Confirmed Covid fatalities in Canada as of 02/04: 20,361*

⇒ Number of vaccine doses administered to Canadians as of 02/04: 1,000,987*

February 4, 2020—Here we are in February, CurveFlatteners. It's assistant editor Jeremy Visser here, bringing you your pandemic progress from our home office/foster-cat sanctuary in Etobicoke, Ont., where I do my diligent duty to help "catten" the curve. Yes, my side-hustle happens to involve writing pun-based profiles of cats. Why do you ask?

After spending the first month of the year in lockdown in the Greater Toronto Area, I have to say I'm questioning how different this year will be from last year. After all, 2021 seemed to be the Year of the Vaccine, but with recent setbacks, it might be the Year of the Variant. 

The UK variant of Covid-19, known as B.1.1.7, has infected all but one of the 129 residents in a long-term care home in Barrie, Ontario. The coronavirus's U.K. strain is believed to be up to 56 percent more transmissible than the original Covid-19. Meanwhile, a man in Mississauga is the first reported case in Ontario of the South African variant. The B.1.351 variant seems to also be more transmissible than the original and has been reported in six cases in Alberta and four cases in British Columbia so far.

While there's little information on how well the existing Covid vaccines will handle the variants, it seems to be a moot point. There have been several delays and disappointing developments in Canada's supply of vaccines arriving from Europe. However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau just announced two deals to have Canadian manufactured vaccines for Covid-19. Focusing on home-grown vaccine manufacturing and distribution is a step in the right direction, but it does not fit the timeline the PM promised. It seems that the Novavax product will be the first Covid-19 vaccines to be manufactured in Canada -- but they won't be able to start production until the end of 2021. Perhaps 2022 will be the Year of the Canadian Vaccine, then?

The NPC Podcast is back for another season. The National Pharmaceutical Congress organizers are proud to release our new weekly podcast series, hosted by Peter Brenders. Peter's guest this week is Jim Shea, General Manager of the CCPE. Listen here now, or download the episode and play it at your convenience. The NPC Podcast is presented in cooperation with Impres Pharma

COVID CHRONICLE 02/04/2021

• A study published in JAMA Network Open has linked HIV diagnosis to poorer Covid-related health outcomes than those without HIV. The study focused on New York state, both the epicentre for Covid-19 and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The researchers found that those who were HIV+ had significantly elevated cases of Covid-19 hospitalization and were associated with elevated mortality.

• Cancer survivors have a 40 per cent higher prevalence of additional underlying medical conditions associated with severe Covid-19 illness, according to a study published in JNCI: The Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The researchers found that 56.4% of cancer survivors reported having medical conditions associated with severe Covid-19, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, heart diseases, chronic kidney disease and obesity.

• Researchers from Umeå University and Karolinska Institute in Sweden have linked severe mental disorders to elevated mortality from Covid-19. The study, published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, found that elderly individuals with severe mental disorders like schizophrenia or bipolar disorders were almost four times as likely to die from Covid-19. 

WHAT CHRONICLE IS WORKING ON TODAY

Ah, it's my favourite time of the year: Podcast season. Round Three of the NPC Podcast is in full swing, and our second episode was released yesterday, with at least half a season scheduled in my calendar. Listen to Jim Shea of the Council of Continuing Pharmaceutical Education talk about drug reps in fedoras, Chryslers with samples in the trunk, and Pharma's customer-facing field force in our most recent episode. Subscribe now at pharmacongress.info.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE LISTENING TO... 

Descendants of Erdrick. Now, I listen to a lot of video game rock music and even more video game metal music. But nothing quite compares to the Descendants of Erdrick. They have chops when they flawlessly execute instrumentals on some of my favourite games from the 90s, but when their guitarist/vocalist adds her voice to the other half of the album, it really puts them above and beyond in their genre.

TONIGHT WE ARE COOKING...

Gonmodoki. Also known as tofu patties. Here's how you make them: take some firm tofu, a mix of vegetables and fry them up in a generous smothering of oil and put on some rice. It's another personal favourite from my new year's resolution of learning some Japanese dishes. 

HOW IS YOUR WEEK GOING?

Please use the comments section at the Daily CurveFlattener to let us know what you're up to today. Or feel free to check in via LinkedIn, email, or your choice of connector. By all means, pass this newsletter along to your colleagues.

Allan 'Rarin'-to-Go' Ryan will be here tomorrow to bring a close to this chilly and off-putting week. Stay in touch, stay safe, and enjoy your day.