Countries in the Americas should prioritize pregnant and lactating women in distribution of COVID-19 shots, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said on Wednesday, hailing the ability of the vaccines to protect women and their babies.
“PAHO recommends that all pregnant women after their first trimester, as well as those who are breastfeeding, receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” PAHO Director Dr. Carissa Etienne said during the organization’s weekly virtual briefing.
More than 270,000 pregnant women have had COVID-19 in the Americas and about one per cent have died, she said. In Mexico and Colombia, the virus is the leading cause of maternal deaths this year, she said.
But she pointed out that vaccination has been effective in preventing death.
“In Mexico, where pregnant women have been prioritized for vaccinations for some time, not a single vaccinated woman has died from COVID during pregnancy,” Etienne said.
A pregnant woman gets a Pfizer vaccine shot for COVID-19 in Mexico City, Thursday, May 13, 2021. The Pan American Health Organization is recommending pregnant and breast-feeding women be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccines in the Americas. (Fernando Llano/The Associated Press)
Countries also must ensure pregnant women are able to access pre-natal care despite the pandemic, Etienne said. At least 40 per cent of countries in the region have reported disruptions to maternal and newborn care during the pandemic.
Just 28 per cent of people in Latin America and the Caribbean have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 so far, Etienne said, adding that vaccination figures vary widely, with one-fourth of regional countries yet to vaccinate even 20 per cent of its people.
Guatemala and Nicaragua are currently below 10 per cent vaccine coverage, while Venezuela is at just over 11 per cent. Less than one per cent of Haiti’s population has been inoculated against COVID-19.
PAHO’s Emerging Viral Diseases advisor Jairo Mendez Rico joined other health officials in downplaying concerns about the Mu variant of the virus first discovered in Colombia, saying there is no solid evidence yet to show that it is more transmissible or lethal than others.
All currently available COVID-19 vaccines have so far been effective in protecting against the variant, which has been circulating in the Americas since January, he said.
There were nearly 1.5 million COVID-19 cases in the region last week and more than 22,000 deaths.
-From Reuters, last updated at 1:30 p.m. ET
What’s happening across Canada
WATCH | Health-care workers speak out against Alberta’s pandemic response:
Health-care workers speak out against Alberta’s pandemic response
18 hours ago
As the worsening fourth wave of COVID-19 takes a severe toll on health-care workers, some are voicing their disapproval over how the province has handled the pandemic and say the official case count has been understated. 2:57
What’s happening around the world
People receive their first dose of the AstraZeneca Vaccine at the “Bangkok Mobile Vaccine” unit at Wat Thepnahree on September 08, 2021 in Bangkok. (Lauren De Cicca/Getty Images)
As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 222.2 million cases of COVID-19 had been reported worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University’s COVID-19 tracker. The reported global death toll stood at more than 4.5 million.
The UN-backed program to get vaccines to the neediest people in the world has again scaled back its target to ship doses this year, projecting about 1.4 billion doses will be available through the end of the year.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, says the COVAX program that it runs has faced setbacks. Those include export restrictions from hard-hit India, a key producer of vaccines, as well as regulatory hurdles for some vaccine candidates and manufacturing troubles elsewhere.
The head of WHO on Wednesday again called on rich countries with large supplies of coronavirus vaccines to refrain from offering booster shots through the end of the year, expanding a call that has largely fallen on deaf ears.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday he was “appalled” at comments by a leading association of pharmaceutical manufacturers who said vaccine supplies are high enough to allow for both booster shots and vaccinations in countries in dire need of jabs but facing shortages.
“I will not stay silent when companies and countries that control the global supply of vaccines think the world’s poor should be satisfied with leftovers,” he told a news conference.
WATCH | World Health Organization director general talks about need for greater vaccine-equity:
Too much talk, too little action on vaccine equity: WHO chief
5 hours ago
The World Health Organization’s director general says lower income countries cannot be satisfied with vaccine ‘leftovers’ after richest countries ‘have been taken care of.’ (Themba Hadebe/Associated Press Photo) 2:06
In Europe, the head of Germany’s disease control agency says the vaccination rate needs to increase to avoid another wave of the coronavirus, warning “the pandemic is not over yet.”
Lothar Wieler of the Robert Koch Institute said Germany could experience another wave in cases in the fall, with the potential of overwhelming the country’s health system. On Wednesday, the institute reported 13,565 confirmed cases. While infection rates have been stagnant in recent days, the number of hospitalizations has increased in Germany. The number of patients in intensive care has almost doubled to more than 1,300 in the last two weeks, Wieler said.
Meanwhile, Sweden will push ahead with easing restrictions at the end of this month, removing most curbs and limits on public venues such as restaurants, theatres and stadiums.
In the Asia-Pacific region, a medical research institute in Thailand on Wednesday opened registrations for schools to get COVID-19 vaccinations for students ages 10 to 18. The Chulabhorn Royal Academy announced it would vaccinate up to 50,000 children with China’s Sinopharm vaccine starting Sept. 20.
Bangkok’s city government previously announced it will allow children 12 to 18 with underlying medical conditions to receive the Pfizer vaccine starting Sept. 21, ahead of the upcoming school year.
The Philippines capital region will remain under the second strictest coronavirus containment measures, despite a day earlier announcing a relaxation of curbs to spur business activity.
Indonesia’s daily coronavirus positivity rate dropped below the World Health Organization’s benchmark standard of five per cent this week for the first time.
South Korea has reported more than 2,000 new cases of the coronavirus, approaching a one-day record set last month, as officials expressed concern about an erosion in citizen vigilance amid prolonged pandemic restrictions.
A member of the medical staff operates a tablet inside the Church of the Virgin Mary during a vaccination rollout in the town of Archanes on the island of Crete in Greece. (Michael Varaklas/The Associated Press)
In the Americas, Venezuela has received its first batch of vaccines through COVAX, the Pan-American Health Organization said.
U.S. President Joe Biden will present a six-pronged strategy intended to fight the spread of the delta variant and increase U.S. vaccinations, the White House said.
In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia removed the United Arab Emirates, Argentina and South Africa from its entry banned country list and re-allowed citizens to travel to the three countries starting Sept. 8, state TV reported.
In Africa, the International Monetary Fund’s executive board on Tuesday approved $567 million US in emergency support for Tanzania to help it finance a vaccination campaign and meet the health and social costs of the pandemic.
-From The Associated Press, Reuters and CBC News, last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET
EDMONTON – Canada’s Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault is apologizing after shifting claims about his Indigenous identity came under scrutiny.
The Liberal member of Parliament said at an unrelated announcement in Edmonton on Friday that he’s sorry he wasn’t as clear as he could have been “with everything that I know now.”
“I apologize that I wasn’t as clear as I could have been about who I am and my family’s history,” he said, adding that he’s still learning about his family’s heritage “in real time.”
Boissonnault has previously referred to himself as “non-status adopted Cree” and said his great-grandmother was a “full-blooded Cree woman.”
He said Friday he’ll have to confirm his great-grandmother’s status, but his mother and brother are citizens of the Métis Nation of Alberta.
“I apologize if that particular way of referring to myself — I apologize that it was inaccurate.”
It comes after the National Post reported that a company co-owned by Boissonnault unsuccessfully bid on two federal contracts in 2020 while identifying itself as Indigenous and Aboriginal-owned.
The government has pledged to award five per cent of its procurement contracts to Indigenous-owned businesses.
Since that story’s publication last week, Boissonnault has said the family he was adopted into has Indigenous ancestry and his adopted mother and brother are status Métis.
Boissonnault said Friday he never claimed any Indigenous status to his business partner, Stephen Anderson.
“Mr. Anderson should never have claimed that on the particular contract application, and no contract was awarded,” he said.
Boissonnault has previously sat as a member of the Liberal Indigenous Caucus, but he said he joined it as an ally representing many Indigenous people in his community.
When asked about the Liberals’ past claims about his Indigenous identity, he said he corrected the party and asked for the descriptions to be changed as soon as he became aware.
“I never asked the party to refer to me as an Indigenous person. I never clicked any box in any form with the Liberal party. I have never put (an) Indigenous claim to any contract or any application in my entire life,” he said.
The Conservative party has said it wants Boissonnault to testify before the ethics committee so he can “answer truthfully for these serious allegations of fraud.”
“This is even more urgent given the new allegations that his company fraudulently claimed to be Indigenous-owned while applying for government contracts,” said Conservative MP Michael Barrett.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 15, 2024.
The Internet’s most powerful ability is its propensity to spread. This holiday season, amidst the hustle of shopping, party planning, and reflections, let’s use this power to spread joy and generosity. This December, I invite you to transform your social media feeds into a canvas of goodwill, reminding your followers and communities that even small acts of kindness can create waves of joy and inspiration.
Before you dive into creating festive holiday content, it’s crucial to set the stage by updating the aesthetics of your social media profiles to mirror the holiday season. Using Canva (www.canva.com), refresh your banner/cover photo on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. with holiday-themed images. Change your profile picture to one that captures the festive spirit, such as wearing a Santa hat, standing next to a Christmas tree, or under Christmas lights, or wearing a Christmas sweater.
Once your social media profiles reflect your festive mood, consider the following suggestions to inspire others to get into the holiday spirit.
The 12 Days of Kindness Challenge
The English Christmas carol, “The 12 Days of Christmas,” inspired this suggestion, a “12 Days of Kindness” challenge. Starting 12 days before Christmas, or whenever you want, commit to doing one act of kindness daily. It could be paying for someone’s coffee, leaving a heartfelt note for a neighbour, donating to a local charity, or dropping off baked goods at a senior home. Post pictures of each act on your social media channels with the hashtag #12DaysOfKindness. Encourage your followers and tag your friends to do the same, thereby creating a chain reaction of goodwill that spreads far beyond your immediate circle.
Support Local Charities with a Virtual Fundraiser
Use your social media clout to raise money for a local charity by hosting a virtual fundraiser. Invite your followers and friends to join you in a fun activity, like a virtual trivia night or bake-off. Promote donations to a charity of your choice and share updates on the progress. In addition to building community spirit, promoting local causes demonstrates the power of collective action.
Random Acts of Kindness Bingo
Create a bingo card, which you can use Canva to create, filled with random acts of kindness, such as “compliment a stranger,” “donate clothes,” or “help a neighbour.” Once created, post the card on your social media and invite others to join you in completing the challenges throughout the month. As you check off your squares, share photos or stories of your experiences, tagging friends and followers to keep the momentum going. The visual aspect of a bingo card makes it fun and engaging, encouraging participation.
Gratitude and Kindness Posts
Incorporate gratitude into your kindness initiatives by encouraging your followers to share posts about something they’re thankful for and how they plan to pay it forward. Use a specific hashtag, like #ThankfulAndKind, to unify these posts. As people share their gratitude and commitment to kindness, you’ll create a powerful positivity narrative that inspires others to reflect on their lives and actions.
Acts of Kindness Story Swap
Engage your audience by hosting a ‘kindness story swap.’ Invite your followers to share their stories of kindness—either acts they’ve done or experiences they’ve had. Create a specific day for these stories and use a designated hashtag like #KindnessSwap. By facilitating the sharing of stories and uplifting your followers, you’ll be connecting people and building a sense of community, which is what social media should be used for.
Kindness Challenge Videos
Challenge your followers to create short videos showcasing their acts of kindness. This could include anything from helping a neighbour with groceries to volunteering at a local shelter. Encourage them to tag you and others in their posts using a hashtag like #KindnessChallenge. Sharing video content is an effective way to spread your message while inspiring others to get involved.
Holiday Cards for Seniors
During the holidays, seniors living in retirement homes often feel isolated. Initiate a “Holiday Cards for Seniors” campaign by encouraging your followers to create and send handmade holiday cards to local retirement homes. List several local retirement homes on your social media and encourage your followers to share photos of their card-making. This simple act will not only brighten someone’s day but also foster cross-generational connections.
Kindness knows no boundaries. In addition to spreading joy, social media offers a powerful tool to foster community and encourage acts of kindness. No matter how small, each act of kindness contributes to a larger narrative of compassion, which the world desperately needs more of. Imagine the joy on a senior’s face when they receive a holiday card or the warmth in a neighbour’s heart when they receive a compliment. Creating and hosting these kindness challenges and sharing your acts of kindness experiences—giving and receiving—will enrich your life and strengthen your community.
This December let’s embrace the spirit of kindness—online and offline. Your social media feeds can become a gallery of kindness, with posts and shares illustrating the joys of doing acts of kindness, making this holiday season a time of connection, generosity, and lasting impact.
HACHINOHE, Japan – Ivanie Blondin helped Canada to a team sprint gold medal before picking up an individual bronze Friday as Canada opened the long-track speedskating season with three medals at the ISU Four Continents championships.
Ottawa’s Blondin combined with Carolina Hiller of Prince George, B.C., and Béatrice Lamarche of Quebec City to win the women’s team sprint in a track record time of one minute 27.87 seconds.
Lamarche used the slingshot technique to launch Blondin into the final lap, which helped the trio maintain their speed. While the move worked, Lamarche said it could be improved.
“The slingshot move felt better yesterday in practice, but it was not at high speed. Maybe we looked smooth, but I personally felt weird and rushed throughout the entire process,” Lamarche said. “I’m excited to try it again during the World Cup in China because I think it can be better.”
South Korea was 1.39 seconds off the pace for silver, while Kazakhstan was 2.49 seconds back of the winners to take bronze.
Later, the 34-year-old Blondin took bronze in the women’s 1,500 metres with a time of 1:57.99.
Japan’s Miho Takagi (1:54.86) and China’s Mei Han (1:56.53) took gold and silver, respectively.
“I feel pretty good about my 1,500,” Blondin said. “I was not able to warm down following the team sprint as we went straight to the medal ceremony. By the time that was over I had to put my skin suit on and get back on the ice.”
“I didn’t have the pop that I normally would — but midway through the race I realized things were going well and my legs were actually feeling pretty decent,” she added. “I was happy with the end time.”
Canada reached the podium for a third time as Anders Johnson of Burnaby, B.C., Laurent Dubreuil of Lévis, Que., and Yankun Zhao of Calgary, Alta., finished third in the men’s team sprint.
The United States (1:19.43) and China (1:19.78) finished ahead of Canada, the defending world champion and world record holder in the discipline.
“I think it was a good race for us,” Johnson said. “It was a new setup for our team today and we executed well and skated well. We’re happy with the result and excited to see what comes in the future.”
The championships continue Saturday with Blondin, Dubreuil, Calgary’s Ted-Jan Bloemen, Valérie Maltais of La Baie, Que., and Ottawa’s Isabelle Weidemann looking to add to Canada’s medal total.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 15, 2024.
