A mucosal vaccine could be a COVID-19 game-changer. So why doesn’t Canada have one?
Global News
With the arrival of XBB.1.5 in Canada, some scientists say governments must invest more in mucosal vaccines — a tool that could be a game-changer in the fight against COVID-19.
With the arrival of the highly contagious XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant in Canada, some scientists say governments must invest more in developing mucosal vaccines — a tool that could be a game-changer in the fight against COVID-19.
Mucosal vaccines, which are inhaled in the nose or mouth, are widely considered by doctors and scientists to be the next generation in protecting against COVID-19 because they offer the greatest potential to prevent transmission of the virus — a feature that injected mRNA and adenovirus vaccines do not offer.
But while some countries, including China and India, have moved forward and authorized new inhaled vaccines, Canada is among the many nations that still do not yet have a mucosal vaccine against COVID-19 approved.
That’s something that needs to change soon if the country truly wants to return to some semblance of pre-pandemic ‘normal,’ says Dawn Bowdish, an immunology professor at McMaster University.
“Many of our policymakers and politicians have really thought that as soon as we get everyone vaccinated, we can just go back to normal,” she said.
“But until we get vaccines that actually stop transmission, we actually need to have a compromise between non-pharmaceutical interventions like masking and vaccination.… If we truly want to go back to a pre-COVID life, we are going to need to invest in mucosal vaccines.”
COVID-19 vaccines currently in use in Canada, such as those produced by Pfizer and Moderna, are injected into the arm’s muscle tissue and work by stimulating an immune response mainly in an individual’s blood.
This has proven to provide protection against severe infection that could cause hospitalization or death, but it does not always prevent transmission of the virus, Bowdish said.
Around 4:15 a.m. Monday a stolen flatbed truck smashed into Players Choice Sports Cards and Collectibles, completely smashing the storefront.
The union representing thousands of health care professionals across Saskatchewan is calling out the decision to hire a private company to provide mobile detox services.
The New Brunswick government says it has asked for an audit of NB Power’s billing process after receiving "hundreds" of complaints.
General Motors, Nissan and Hyundai are among the companies that say they will match the $5,000 rebate on new electric vehicles sold during January.
The Retail Council of Canada has warned that tit-for-tat tariffs between Canada and the United States could raise prices for consumers on both sides of the border.
Winnipeg has a name in mind for its first-ever chief construction officer, Mayor Scott Gillingham announced Tuesday.
Kingston city council declared food insecurity an emergency last week, becoming the third Ontario city to do so over the past few months.
An injured suspect was taken into custody after the violence on Interstate 91 in Coventry, about 32 kilometres from the Canadian border, the FBI said in a statement.
Canada’s population will grow over the years regardless of the federal government’s recent decision to slash immigration rates, a new report shows.
On Friday, Mayor Malcolm Brodie refused to answer questions about his total compensation package of at least $362,000 in 2023. He earns $198,000 as mayor.
Blue Monday is often referred to as the saddest day of the year. CMHA Waterloo Wellington says there are a variety of activities that boost mental wellness during the winter.
The league suspended Purifoy on Friday.
After years of renting two propane tanks for $99 plus tax, Joe Eagles received a $600 increase from Superior Propane. The company says the increased fee is for minimal propane use.
In June 2022, the city announced it would be widening Robie Street to add bus lanes — a project that requires space. That will also mean the end to a woman's home of 26 years.
The Toronto International Film Festival says Rogers Communications has signed a three-year deal to return as its official “presenting partner” through 2027.
A boil water advisory has been issued for parts of the Halifax region after a power failure at a water treatment facility.
The TTC unveiled its capital plan for 2025 on Monday, complete with details of how often the spine of the city's transit network would be closed for days at a time.
A passenger on a recent rough-landing flight to Halifax says not only was the incident frightening, but the aftermath was poorly managed as people were left out in the cold.