Skip to content

Zalan: Timely 2nd COVID shots for seniors critical, even if youth have to wait longer

Local doc disagrees with Sudbury medical officer of health’s decision to remain focused on getting 1st shots in arms for now
covid19_vaccine_clinic_nurse_02

How long should seniors wait for their second shot? 

In The Lancet, Eric Haas and colleagues reported on a nationwide study of the effectiveness of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Israel. 

By April 2021, 88 per cent of people aged 50 years and older had received two doses. Vaccines were rolled out in the midst of Israel’s third and largest wave of coronavirus infections, with a peak of 8,328 new infections each day. 

By April, the number of new cases dropped to 149 per day. The vaccine prevented symptomatic infections and avoided the need for hospitalization and/or ICU admission by over 96 per cent across all age groups, including those over 85 years of age. 

This is great news. 

It was all looking so good in Britain until the arrival of the new India variant. 

There is now evidence that this variant spreads more easily and quickly than the UK variant. Cases have more than doubled within one week in Britain. This new variant is believed to be responsible for up to 75 percent of new cases. In India, the variant’s effects have been catastrophic. 

Preliminary analysis has demonstrated that a single shot of the Pfizer vaccine is less effective at preventing infection with the India variant. After two doses however, the Pfizer injection had comparable effectiveness against both variants.

What is the bad news?

The new variant has been identified in all Canadian provinces, with over 300 cases in Ontario. With its ability to spread faster, combined with the four-month delay until the second shot, the virus has the opportunity to spread in our province. Most people in Ontario are only partially immunized. The vaccines are less effective with a single second shot in the case of the India variant. 

On May 29, Dr Sutcliffe wrote:

“….Public Health Sudbury & Districts remains focused on getting first doses in arms. This focus is balanced with providing second doses to those who are eligible for the shorter dose interval. Eligible individuals include those who are at higher risk related to an underlying health condition, frontline health-care workers and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals.

Ontario’s recent announcement of accelerated second doses includes individuals aged 80 and over [beginning this week]. However, for the Public Health Sudbury & Districts area, most appointments are likely to be available the week of June 28. Some may have to wait a little bit longer for their second dose….We are gearing up for the three-week youth and family vaccination blitz starting the week of June 7. 

The current vaccine supply is accounted for within existing prioritized groups….”

Dr. Sutcliffe, I believe that the Sudbury Health Unit’s selection of prioritized groups has been incorrect. 

Whereas waiting longer may have been reasonable before the arrival of the India variant, this is no longer the case. Considering the speed of its transmission, the 300 cases in Ontario may be over 1,000 in two weeks, based on the UK experience. 

Dr. Sutcliffe, please ask the youth and families that you are planning to vaccinate next week to wait a little longer. There is no school opening before next fall. Seniors do more poorly than young people with the coronavirus. Time is of the essence.

Dr. Peter Zalan is the former president of the medical staff at Health Sciences North, and a retired intensive care physician.


Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.