Experts criticize Sask. premier's statement that vaccines don't reduce COVID-19 transmission
CBC
Some health experts in the province are frustrated after Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe published a letter on social media yesterday that included the statement that "vaccination is not reducing transmission."
The letter was in support of semi-trailer convoys and rallies held across the country to protest a federal policy that requires truck drivers entering Canada from the United States to be fully vaccinated.
On the second page of the document, the premier announced the end of Saskatchewan's proof of negative test and proof of vaccination policy "in the not-too-distant future."
"Vaccination does not keep you from contracting COVID-19, but it does prevent most people from becoming seriously ill," said Moe.
"Because vaccination is not reducing transmission, the current federal policy for truckers makes no sense. An unvaccinated trucker does not pose any greater risk of transmission than a vaccinated trucker."
On social media, Regina infectious diseases specialist Dr. Alex Wong called Moe's two statements about vaccines not preventing people from contracting COVID-19 and immunization not reducing transmission "false."
"Many studies show 3 doses of mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) provides 60-70% protection (vaccine effectiveness, VE) vs Omicron infection," he said Saturday on Twitter.
"If you don't get infected, then you don't transmit the virus."
Wong wrote even with Omicron being more contagious than previous variants, three doses of vaccine can make a big difference, preventing people from getting really sick and reducing the chance of being infected.
Dr. Hassan Masri agrees with Wong.
There might be many things that are still unclear when it comes to COVID-19 because the virus and research associated with it are moving really fast, said the associate professor from the University of Saskatchewan in an interview with CBC.
However, from a scientific point of view, Moe's message about vaccines not reducing transmission is incorrect and a damaging statement, said the Saskatoon physician on Saturday.
"There is no two sides to this story," said Masri.
"Vaccines do decrease the transmission of the virus, do decrease the ability to actually acquire the virus in the first place."
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