Sask. virologist urges third vaccine dose to fight Omicron
Saskatchewan is on the “uphill slope” of another COVID-19 surge dominated by the Omicron variant, according to a virologist.
VIDO-InterVac research scientist and virologist Angela Rasmussen says the third dose or booster shot will help lower severe illness and hospitalization.
“People should go get them if they’re eligible because they really do make a big difference,” said Rasmussen.
She says fully vaccinated people with two doses, as well as people who've recovered from infection with a prior variant, are susceptible to either breakthroughs or reinfections, respectively, with Omicron, and are much more likely to be re-infected or have a breakthrough compared to Delta.
“When you add the third dose in a series, you actually can restore that to about 65 percent effectiveness against infection,” Rasmussen said.
Provincial lab reports released Jan. 13 show 95 per cent of infections are from the Omicron variant.
Rasmussen says one hypothesis is that the Omicron strain may have mutated in an animal species and then transferred back to humans.
“The origins of Omicron are really mysterious compared to Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta,” said Rasmussen.
“Omicron may have the ability to infect other animal species that the variants of concern might not have been able to."
The mutation of the virus in animals is one of her current research projects.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.