Public Health Agency of Canada

The first line of vaccines was highly effective at restricting COVID-19’s damage

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 1, 2023
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COVID-19 vaccination was deemed crucial to prevent the continued spread of the disease, protect those infected from experiencing severe effects, counter the rise of new variants, and ultimately end the pandemic.

Key Points: 
  • COVID-19 vaccination was deemed crucial to prevent the continued spread of the disease, protect those infected from experiencing severe effects, counter the rise of new variants, and ultimately end the pandemic.
  • Understanding the effectiveness of vaccines remains crucial.

Primary doses and boosters

    • A total of 5.09 billion people have completed a primary COVID-19 vaccination series (i.e., two doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine).
    • First, how well does the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines protect people (against infections, hospitalizations and deaths) four months or more after completing vaccination?
    • Answering these questions will provide invaluable information for policymakers to make evidence-based decisions, such as the timing of administering COVID-19 vaccine booster doses.


    In total, we identified 68 studies that met these criteria, representing 23 countries. We then combined all the data to better understand how the vaccines’ protection changes over time. The results were published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

Protection against COVID-19, in general

    • Specifically, vaccines should show at least 70 per cent protection against infections and 90 per cent protection against hospitalizations and deaths.
    • We found that the primary series offered excellent protection against hospitalizations and deaths in the short term, showing over 90 per cent protection against both outcomes within 42 days after vaccination.
    • Protection then fell to around 45 per cent against infections and to around 70 per cent against hospitalizations after four months had passed.

Protection against the Omicron variant

    • Vaccines were generally less effective against the Omicron variant, which emerged in fall 2021, about a year after COVID-19 vaccines were introduced.
    • The primary series’ protection against hospitalization for Omicron infections reached around 70 per cent within the first 42 days, but also dropped over time, reaching closer to 50 per cent after six months.
    • Yet, booster protection also waned over time, falling to about 40 per cent against Omicron infections and 70 per cent against hospitalizations after four months post-booster.
    • With Omicron, boosters are particularly needed to maintain adequate protection, but this protection also needs additional boosting as it wanes over time.

Behaviour-based prevention measures remain necessary

    • That means measures like wearing a mask, washing one’s hands, and staying at home when sick remain essential complements to vaccination.
    • Contrary to vaccines, these measures do not decline in effectiveness over time and are particularly well suited to protect people against infections.
    • Keven Joyal-Desmarais receives funding from the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

New Research Puts a Multi-Billion Price Tag on Failure to Improve Children’s Health in Canada

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
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“Pandemic restrictions have lifted and the recent acute pediatric crisis has waned, but the impacts will be felt for years to come.

Key Points: 
  • “Pandemic restrictions have lifted and the recent acute pediatric crisis has waned, but the impacts will be felt for years to come.
  • The research involves a multi-disciplinary team from the University of Calgary and the University of Toronto, including the faculties of Social Work, Public Policy, Health, Education and Economics.
  • Vivic Research, an economic consulting firm dedicated to advocating for social justice with data-driven research, partnered on the economic analysis of the social return on investment in children’s health.
  • Children First Canada graciously recognizes the support of the Public Health Agency of Canada, MITACS, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), CHEO, and the IWK for making this report possible.

Government of Canada continues to monitor and invest in COVID-19 wastewater monitoring

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
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The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) continues to use innovative science and research to inform the sustainable approach to the ongoing management of COVID-19 in Canada by investing in wastewater monitoring across the nation.

Key Points: 
  • The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) continues to use innovative science and research to inform the sustainable approach to the ongoing management of COVID-19 in Canada by investing in wastewater monitoring across the nation.
  • By translating the most up-to-date science and research and consolidating expertise, this investment will help public health authorities, communities, government agencies, and researchers to successfully interpret and communicate COVID-19 wastewater monitoring data.
  • CWN is a non-profit organization and a leader in the rapidly evolving field of wastewater monitoring across Canada.
  • "COVID-19 continues to circulate in Canada and around the world and investing in wastewater technology is helping us better monitor its impacts.

Advancing on our Shared Priority of Connecting You to Modern Health Care

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 29, 2023
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On top of that, health care providers can't easily access or share health information because systems don't always connect.

Key Points: 
  • On top of that, health care providers can't easily access or share health information because systems don't always connect.
  • Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, unveiled our shared plan of Connecting you to Modern Health Care.
  • Better access to health information will empower patients and is essential for health workers to be able to provide high quality health care and make more informed choices.
  • This commitment demonstrates our dedication to modernizing Canada's health data system and ensuring better health care for everyone."

Government of Canada supports community-based projects addressing HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 26, 2023
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YELLOWKNIFE, NT, May 26, 2023 /CNW/ - Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) are preventable, treatable and in many cases curable.

Key Points: 
  • YELLOWKNIFE, NT, May 26, 2023 /CNW/ - Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) are preventable, treatable and in many cases curable.
  • However, these infections remain a significant public health concern in Canada and around the world.
  • The CAF supports community-based interventions to address HIV, hepatitis C, and other STBBI, among key populations disproportionately affected by these infections.
  • Through the HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) invests $26.4 million annually to support time-limited projects (up to 5 years) across Canada to address HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted infections (e.g.

Encouraging vaccine confidence through community-led initiatives by the Métis Nation Saskatchewan

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
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Through the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF), PHAC invested $200,000 in a project led by Métis Nation-Saskatchewan: Improving Métis-specific Immunization Access and Promotion in Saskatchewan.

Key Points: 
  • Through the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF), PHAC invested $200,000 in a project led by Métis Nation-Saskatchewan: Improving Métis-specific Immunization Access and Promotion in Saskatchewan.
  • This project supported COVID-19 vaccine confidence, education, and uptake among Métis people in Saskatchewan.
  • These initiatives helped to bring resources to Métis communities in Saskatchewan, providing individuals with unique opportunities to learn about vaccination in comfortable and accessible settings.
  • By increasing vaccine confidence, this initiative worked to protect the health of individuals, communities, and our healthcare system as a whole."

Strengthening Canada's bail system to help keep communities safe

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
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There are specific challenges facing our bail system posed by repeat violent offending, firearms, and other dangerous weapons that need to be addressed.

Key Points: 
  • There are specific challenges facing our bail system posed by repeat violent offending, firearms, and other dangerous weapons that need to be addressed.
  • Bill C-48 proposes to make targeted changes to the Criminal Code's bail regime to ensure our communities stay safe.
  • It is making significant investments to prevent crime and keep communities safe, and address the causes of crime as well.
  • Canadians deserve to be safe and feel safe in their communities and to have confidence that the criminal justice system will protect them and work as intended.

Femasys Inc. Announces Financial Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2023

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 11, 2023
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ATLANTA, May 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Femasys Inc. (NASDAQ: FEMY), a biomedical company aiming to meet women's needs worldwide by developing a suite of product candidates that include minimally invasive, in-office technologies for reproductive health, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023 and provided a corporate update.

Key Points: 
  • General and administrative expenses decreased by $132,218 to $1,315,137 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $1,447,355 for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
  • Sales and marketing expenses increased by $176,033 to $244,896 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $68,863 for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
  • Cost of sales decreased by $17,555 to $105,120 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $122,675 for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
  • Gross margin percentage was 64.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to 61.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Femasys’ FemCerv Endocervical Tissue Sampler for Cervical Cancer Diagnosis Receives Product Approval in Canada

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
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ATLANTA, May 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Femasys Inc. (NASDAQ: FEMY), a biomedical company aiming to meet women's needs by developing a suite of products and product candidates that include minimally invasive, in-office technologies for reproductive health, today announced that Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, has granted product approval of FemCerv®, the first endocervical tissue sampler (curette) designed to collect and contain a comprehensive sample to maximize quality and quantity. FemCerv captures a tissue sample in a relatively pain-free manner and has the potential to be an improvement over the existing standard of care to diagnose the presence of cancerous cells in a woman’s cervix.

Key Points: 
  • FemCerv captures a tissue sample in a relatively pain-free manner and has the potential to be an improvement over the existing standard of care to diagnose the presence of cancerous cells in a woman’s cervix.
  • “We are delighted to gain another product approval in Canada, with FemCerv now available to women throughout all of North America as a more advanced alternative for tissue sampling to detect cervical cancer,” stated Kathy Lee-Sepsick, Femasys’ founder, president and, chief executive officer.
  • The tools available to collect this tissue are limited and can cause pain, bleeding and extreme discomfort, as well as result in an inadequate or contaminated sample.
  • Further, should sample contamination occur, this would require subsequent tests and office visits to obtain additional samples.

Government of Canada invests $8.5 million to the Canadian Red Cross to support the mental health of people across the country

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
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Today, Élisabeth Brière, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced $8.5 million in funding to expand the Canadian Red Cross' Friendly Calls program.

Key Points: 
  • Today, Élisabeth Brière, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced $8.5 million in funding to expand the Canadian Red Cross' Friendly Calls program.
  • At a regularly scheduled time, Red Cross personnel call the people with whom they are paired for a social chat, connecting them, if needed, with resources available in their community.
  • "Supporting the mental health of all Canadians, including those already facing disproportionate challenges to their mental health, is a priority for our government.
  • This announcement is part of a $100 million investment provided in Budget 2021, to support projects that promote mental health and prevent mental illness in populations disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.