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Covid 19

Vaccination During Pregnancy May Provide Infants Protection – Research

by Folarin Kehinde February 16, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

A new study has revealed that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 during pregnancy may also help protect babies after they’re born.

The research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this is so because of the transfer of antibodies through the placenta during pregnancy and through breast milk after birth.

“The bottom line is that maternal vaccination is a really important way to help protect these young infants,” said Dr. Dana Meaney-Delman, chief of the CDC’s Infant Outcome Monitoring, Research and Prevention branch.

For the study the researchers sampled data of 379 infants hospitalized for various reasons, including COVID, across 17 states from July 1, 2021 through Jan. 17.

“84% of the babies hospitalized with COVID were born to mothers who had not been vaccinated.”

The study further found that completion of a two-dose vaccine series later in pregnancy was more protective than earlier in pregnancy.

“If we have a woman who comes in in the first trimester and is vaccinated, she can actually be eligible for a booster vaccine later in pregnancy,” she said, but added it was premature for the agency to recommend boosters specifically for the pregnant.

February 16, 2022 0 comments

Africa & World

Canada dropping all COVID restrictions, vax passports by end of month

by Folarin Kehinde February 3, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

The province of Saskatchewan in Canada has become the first province to announce it will be dropping all COVID-19 restrictions, including proof of vaccination requirements.

Premier Scott Moe made the announcement during a press conference Monday evening, stating restrictions would end on Feb. 28 and recognizing Canadians’ desire “for a return to normal.”

“Our caucus MLAs are hearing this from the people that they are talking to across the province and the people that they ultimately represent, and people are asking their government for a return to normal – a removal of public health restrictions – and we most certainly are looking at how we can do that in the weeks ahead here in Saskatchewan,” said Moe.

The announcement comes after a significant shift in public opinion among Canadians against pandemic restrictions.

A new poll by the Angus Reid Institute found that 54% of Canadians agreed or strongly agreed that restrictions should be ended and for people who are at risk to self-isolate. All regions except for Atlantic Canada reported majority support.

Both Alberta and Ontario have also hinted at some signs of further opening up.

Most recently, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney stated that he hopes to see an end to the proof of vaccination program by March.

“I did say when we brought in the proof of vaccination program back in early September that I did not foresee it going past the first quarter of 2022. That would be the end of March,” Kenney said last week.

Ontario’s top doctor Kieran Moore also said last week that it was time for people to “learn to live with COVID-19,” anticipating that the threat of the virus will die down in the near future.

“I think we have to start to understand we have to learn to live with this virus,” Moore said.

As for Quebec, Premier Francois Legault has now walked back his plan to tax the province’s unvaccinated after facing wide public pushback.

“I understand that this divides Quebecers, and right now we have to build bridges,” said Legault on Tuesday “My role is to try to bring Quebecers together to stay united as a people.”

February 3, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

4th Wave: FG Restricts Religious Gatherings to 50% Capacity at Cross Over Services

by Folarin Kehinde December 24, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

The annual crossover services held by religious organisations across the country is under threat as the Boss Mustapha led Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 declared that indoor religious gatherings should be limited to 50 per cent with full compliance to public health measures.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha which was made available to journalists on Thursday in Abuja.

Crossover services are significant events held majorly in churches on the night of December 31 every year to usher in the New Year.

It is a time when religious organisations, especially Christians, gather to pray and worship their Maker for the gift of a New Year. Customarily, the services begin a few hours before midnight and end some minutes after, depending on the denomination.

Due to the number of attendees of such events across the country, the PSC explained that there has been reduced compliance to public health social measures which has led to increased COVID-19 cases in the country.

The committee, however, added that it may be forced to introduce more restrictions should there be an increase in cases.

The statement reads in part, “The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 recognizes the importance of the Christmas and New Year celebrations for most Nigerians. As we prepare to celebrate with our families and loved ones, it is important that we do so safely by taking the necessary precautionary measures to stop the further spread of COVID-19 in our country.

“The PSC wishes to remind Nigerians that we are now experiencing the 4th wave COVID19 as new cases have continued to rise in the country. This is the result of a mix of very low vaccination coverage, increased travels and movements, reduced compliance to public health social measures and highly transmissible Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant now circulating in the country.

The statement further reads, “Indoor religious congregation should be limited to 50% capacity with full compliance to public health social measures; face masks and hand sanitisers should be used at all times regardless of vaccination status while in public spaces.

“Families are advised to limit the number of visitors to their homes and put in place precautionary safety measures. Any gathering in the excess of 50 people should be done in open spaces with physical distancing.

“Avoid non-essential interstate travel at this period as this increases the risk of spreading infection from one place to another. People who intend to travel are encouraged to take a rapid COVID-19 test to confirm status as many infected persons are asymptomatic.

“Ensure that you have taken the full dose of COVID-19 vaccination including the booster dose to reduce your risk of severe infection and death in case of exposure to COVID-19.”

December 24, 2021 0 comments