The trend to the early use of higher-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMT) in the management of MS was put on pause during the pandemic due to concerns about the effects of these agents on the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and, latterly, to COVID-19 vaccination. However, as the pandemic dragged on, it became impractical to interrupt or delay treatment, and current DMT recommendations now emphasize that the risks of undertreated MS outweigh the possible risks of COVID, especially in a younger population. Read More
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How long does COVID immunity last?
April 6, 2021The time course of antibody production following SARS-CoV-2 infection was analysed using blood samples obtained from antibody screening of patients with known/suspected COVID-19 at Mount Sinai, New York (Wajnberg et al. Science 2020;370:1227-1230). The assay was the Mount Sinai ELISA that characterizes the antibody response to the Spike protein and has high sensitivity and specificity (92.5%, 100%).
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine – the confusion continues
March 30, 2021The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has recommended that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine should not be used in adults under age 55 years due to concerns about a rare clotting complication (www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization/national-advisory-committee-on-immunization-naci/rapid-response-recommended-use-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-younger-adults.html). Individuals aged >55 years can still receive the vaccine. NACI previously recommended that the vaccine not be used in individuals aged >65 years due to a lack of evidence. Read More
Slide deck: COVID-19 – Epidemiology in Canada (March 25, 2021)
March 25, 2021Summary of epidemiology, testing and mortality rate; Canada and world statistics.