Unambiguous Science

Some reports of the vaccine causing transient changes to menstrual cycles. This is not unusual, given the endometrium is an extension of your immune system. However, important to know that these changes are transient and last 1-2 cycles and there is no subsequent impact on

Very helpful article summarizing the data in Financial Times today. On preventing symptomatic infection, early data from real-world studies in the UK in May found two doses of Pfizer were 88% effective against Delta. Similar analyses in Scotland showed 79% effectiveness. In Canada, preliminary analyses estimated that Pfizer was 87% effective at preventing infection with

New preprint by Dr Fisman and Dr Tuite showing progressive increase in virulence of variants in Ontario. Delta is significantly more virulent than earlier variants, resulting in 105% increased risk for hospitalization, 241% for ICU admission and 121% for

Two immunogenicity and reactogenicity studies (Com-COV & CombiVacS) on heterologous prime-boost published. AZ+Pfizer data is very reassuring, good binding + neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses. Side effect profile typical, mild to moderate and

Myocarditis collab with my friend Dr. Elisabeth Marnik. We have summarized all the info that is available thus far on the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis with the mRNA vaccines per CDC ACIP’s briefing this week. This far, the CDC maintains that the benefits outweigh the risks. We will continue to update as more information

Dr David Fisman, an epidemiologist at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and a friend of mine, recently made these graphs on herd immunity. The vaccine uptake we need to see to achieve herd immunity is based on vaccine efficacy & reproduction number of the dominant variant in circulation. With Delta, numbers needed to

1/ Protection after two doses The most important decision is to get second dose: stronger + longer lasting protection. Two doses of AZ effective at preventing serious illness from OG Covid-19 + early variants. Early studies show good immune response when Moderna/Pfizer used as second dose. 2/ Protection against new variants Delta variant spreading quickly.

Here’s a visual on the new real-world study assessing effectiveness of AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines against the Alpha and Delta variants. This study underscores the importance of being fully vaccinated with two doses, given the rising number of Delta variant cases in Ontario and

There is a lot of pseudoscience being spread on spike proteins made via the vaccines that is being extrapolated out of context from limited data on spike proteins made by the actual SARS-CoV-2 virus. Hope this helps address the

I am often asked what the impact of vaccination in pregnancy or lactation would be specific to passive transfer of antibodies and immunity. Here I try and outline the different types of antibodies, their function and what the subsequent impact would be on the fetus or