Fully vaccinated Sask. senior fights for life, arthritis drug thought to have reduced COVID-19 vaccine efficacy
A fully-vaccinated Saskatoon senior is fighting for her life after testing positive for COVID-19.
Her family believes a drug she relies on for her arthritis treatment may have lowered the vaccine’s efficacy.
“My mother is in a state right now that we don't know if she is going to live. She is that ill,” Beatrice Bellegarde’s daughter Charlene Cote told CTV News.
On Aug. 19 Bellegarde's family took her to hospital thinking she had come down with the flu. However, a rapid test revealed she had COVID-19.
She has been in the ICU at Royal University Hospital since Aug. 22.
"(On Aug. 27) she was intubated so the ventilator is doing all the breathing for her,” said Cote.
“When my mom was diagnosed with COVID I was really surprised because like I said we were double vaccinated, we thought we were safe.”
Bellegarde has rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and takes Methotrexate.
“The doctors have explained to me that Methotrexate blocks the efficacy of the vaccination, Cote said.
Kelly Kizlyk, a pharmacist with medSask says people taking immunosuppressant medications like methotrexate may have a lower immune system response to the COVID-19 vaccine.
“What that means is these medications can dampen or lessen our natural immune response, said Kizlyk.
“So it makes sense that if someone is taking a medication that somehow modifies or changes their immune response. Then there is the potential for it to affect how their body might respond … to that vaccine.”
Kizlyk recommends people taking immunosuppressive medications consult with their doctor or pharmacists to ensure they know the level of protection the vaccines provide.
He emphasizes the vaccines still provide an important barrier to shield against the illness.
“It's still important to recognize that vaccination is an important part of our COVID-19 layers of protection,” said Kizlyk.
“It also might be appropriate, offer an additional response and this is something that in Saskatchewan our government is already starting to respond to.
The province began offering additional "booster" shot on Sept. 7 to immunocompromised individuals.
Cote said she's sure her mother would welcome a third dose.
“I’m quite positive that she would get the third shot,” said Cote.
Cote is also critical of those who are able to get a COVID-19 vaccine but haven't, increasing the risk for vulnerable people like her mother.
"I think it’s socially irresponsible when people are not vaccinating because they can get COVID and pass it on to other people.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.