Many developed countries have approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine in children as young as 12, even though they are a low-risk group.
Pharmacist Barbara Violo arranges all the empty vials of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine that she has provided to customers at an independent pharmacy in Toronto.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Hundreds of thousands of Canadians got a shot of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine for their first dose. They now have a choice for their second dose: AstraZeneca again, or Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine?
Kylie Quinn, RMIT University and Jennifer Juno, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
The infection of a Victorian aged-worker who had received their first COVID vaccine dose isn’t completely surprising. We need two doses for optimal protection.
We want to get everybody vaccinated. Opening up to younger age groups could be one way to speed things up — but it will come with logistical challenges too.
The United States and Canada have approved the Pfizer vaccine for adolescents aged 12–15. The evidence so far tells us it works well and is safe for this age group.
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was recently approved for adolescents ages 12-15. Vaccination is essential to protect children from serious illness and quicken return to normal life.
You only have to prevent one case, which could have otherwise led to community spread and lockdown, for such a scheme to pay for itself many times over.
People line up at a mass vaccination centre during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mississauga, Ont.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canadian public health organizations have run into a serious communication problem about the AstraZeneca vaccine. Crisis management and communication theories explain what’s gone wrong.
Jennifer Juno, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and Adam Wheatley, The University of Melbourne
Vaccination is likely to substantially reduce virus transmission by reducing the pool of people who become infected, and reducing virus levels in people who do get infected.
Pfizer and Moderna are expected to make billions in revenue this year. It’s time all vaccine producers share their IP, data and know-how with the rest of the world.
Skyrocketing demand coupled with shortages of vital components is leading to bottlenecks in the supply chain of Pfizer’s and other mRNA vaccines.
A dose of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is prepared at a vaccination event at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in South Los Angeles on March 11, 2021.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
The CDC and FDA said the benefits of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine far outweigh the low risk of developing rare blood clots and lifted a pause on the vaccine’s use. A doctor explains.
At the end of 2020, India applied to the WTO for a temporary suspension of intellectual property rights related to Covid-19.
Sanjay Kanojia/AFP
Licensing agreements between pharmaceutical companies and the Medicines Patent Pool, in cooperation with the WHO, could accelerate access to doses for the poorest countries.