REGINA — This week's integrated epidemiology situation report was released Thursday. Here are some highlights you should know about.
Novavax available April 11
Residents 18 years or older may choose the protein-based vaccine Novavax rather than the mRNA (Pfizer, Moderna) or viral vector (Janssen) vaccines, or receive it if they have contraindications to mRNA vaccines, starting April 11. It will be available for third or fourth doses. Due to a limited supply of 4,200 doses, it must be booked through 1-833-SASKVAX (727-5829) and will not be available through pharmacies.
Omicro BA.2 retires sotrovimab treatment
Recent clinical studies have demonstrated reduced efficacy of sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody given by intravenous infusion, against Omicron's BA.2 subvariant. With the growth in prevalence of Omicron BA.2, sotrovimab was discontinued April 7.
Paxlovid still available
While sotrovimab may be on the outs, Paxlovic, an oral antiviral medication that helps prevent COVID-18 from spreading in the body, is still good to go.Treatment with Paxlovid must start within five days of symptom onset and can help prevent serious COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization.
Delta is done
Since Omicron was first designated as a variant of concern in Nov. 26, 2021, it has been overrunning the previous VOC, Delta. Omicron has been rapidly increasing since Jan 1 and is the dominant variant in Saskatchewan. Only one proportion of Delta has been reported in the past seven weeks.
BA.2 latest concern
There were 440 VOCs reported during the week of March 27 – April 2, compared with 400 in the previous week. Of those, 21.4 per cent were of sublineage BA.2 which is higher compared to the previous week (15,5 per cent). The Omicron BA.2 sublineage is being seen across the province.
