An Ontario paradox: Old enough to drink, but still not old enough to get a vaccine jab

The NPC Healthbiz Weekly is here to keep on informing you through Q2 of 2021. It's your weekly briefing on topics pertinent to healthcare marketers and executives published in cooperation with Peak Pharma Solutions. 

⇒ Issue #180 (In numerology, 180 represents inclusiveness.)
⇒ Worldwide Covid cases as of 04/16: 139,214,611*
⇒ Worldwide Covid fatalities as of 04/16: 2,988,960*
⇒ Confirmed Covid cases in Canada as of 04/16: 1,104,508*
⇒ Confirmed Covid fatalities in Canada as of 04/16: 23,482*
⇒ Number of vaccine doses administered to Canadians as of 04/16: 9,205,307*

April 16, 2021—Yes, it's Friday, CurveFlatteners. I'm Chronicle's Jeremy Visser coming to you today from one of the West Toronto postal codes recently designated a "hot spot," and thus the centre of efforts to vaccinate all residents aged 18 and older. I was, of course, thrilled to hear this news last week, although my excitement has slowly ebbed as the days roll on and reality has set in.

My first response was, "Finally!" And my next question was, "When?" I still don't know. Initially, the province's vaccine booking portals provided no answers, and calls requesting more information resulted in similar non-information. Eventually, University Health Network and Scarborough Health network began bookings for vaccinations, but the demand surpassed the vaccine supply, and they had to either close or limit vaccinations at clinics. What kind of demand were they expecting? We're talking about a vaccine, not the newest iPhone. 

It seems that when Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the news, it was more wishful thinking than fact. With the limited supply of vaccines, paired with the supply-chain delays for the Moderna vaccine, many were turned away during the registration process. Some desiring a jab were determined to not reside in vulnerable postal codes, not have status as a front-line worker, or not 50 years of age or older. So, what happened to the "18+" pledge the Premier recently made?

On top of the limited vaccine supply, the Premier also announced that large employers and community groups are being enlisted by the government to set up mobile and pop-up clinics to provide vaccinations in hot spots. It was declared that these clinics will not be booked through the provincial booking portal. So, while these developments do not answer my question of "when," I supposed we now have the slightest inkling regarding "how."

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 most recent guest is Sheryl Groeneweg, Director General of the Manufacturing and Life Sciences Branch of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. 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 04/16/2021

• According to a study published in Science Immunology, one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine may make recovered patients immune. The study looked at 44 people who had received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, 11 of whom had been previously infected with Covid-19. The authors also noted that two doses are still optimal to induce strong antibodies in immune patients and could help against variants.

• A study published in EClinicalMedicine suggests that there are two distinct types acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with Covid-19. Looking at 263 patients admitted into ICU, the authors found that 26.6% had increased levels of biomarkers in the bloodstream indicative of blood clotting, organ dysfunction and higher inflammation as opposed to other patients. This subset of patients was twice as likely to die from Covid-19 in the first month of hospitalization.

• The B.1.1.7 variant of Covid-19 is more transmissible but does not increase severity according to a study published in The Lancet. The authors reviewed self-reported data from 37,000 users in the UK and found no evidence of altered symptoms or more severity. 

WHAT CHRONICLE IS WORKING ON TODAY

Depending on what time you're reading this newsletter, I might be recording the first interview of the fourth season of the NPC Podcast. Presented in co-operation with our friends at Impres, I will be giving my usual producer's thumbs-up gestures and encouraging nods while our host Peter Brenders does all the real work. More info to come soon at pharmacongress.info.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE READING... 

Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince. I just received a belated birthday present from my coworker, Kylie Rebernik. Ironically, it was the exact same gift I got her for Xmas. A graphic novel prequel to V. E. Schwab's brilliant book A Darker Shade of Magic. The story takes place in an alternate London with magic, pirates, and most importantly, no pandemic.

TONIGHT WE ARE LISTENING TO...

If Not Now, When? The title of this recording by the band Incubus mirrors the first question that came to my head when I found out I couldn't book my own vaccination, despite the Premier's announcement. It's also a really good Incubus album. While their previous albums are easily better than this one, it's still a really good and relaxing album. (Also, Make Yourself and Morning View don't really work as a vaccine-related joke.

HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

Please use the comments section at the 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. Enjoy your weekend and Allan Ryan will be back Thursday with more pandemic updates. Until then, we have Skin Spectrum Weekly on Monday, the NPC Healthbiz Weekly on Tuesday, and the CJMC Fortnightly on Wednesday. What a week! You know we spoil you, right?