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Want a COVID-19 booster? Experts say most Canadians should wait for updated shots | RCI

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Vulnerable groups could benefit from more frequent boosting than broader public

It’s been close to a year since Edwina Thomas last had a COVID-19 vaccine, and in a couple of weeks, she’ll be back to her job as a school librarian right while infection rates are rising again.

The 59-year-old Dartmouth, N.S., resident wants another booster shot — but said she was told she’s not eligible for another round yet, and doesn’t know when updated vaccines will arrive.

Now she feels stuck in limbo.

I don’t want to get sick, I don’t want to pass it on to older family members that are immune-compromised, I don’t want the children at school to be sick, I don’t want it to be my fault, she told CBC News.

I think it’s just going to go through us like a tidal wave.

While the size of Canada’s apparent fall COVID wave (new window) won’t be clear for some time, there are early signals that cases are spiking — as drug makers such as Pfizer and Moderna are still waiting for Health Canada (new window) and other regulatory bodies to greenlight their updated shots. Those boosters, once approved, will likely start rolling out by early October, officials say.

In the meantime, how are Canadians supposed to navigate the weeks ahead?

Wait for updated COVID-19 booster this fall, experts suggest

Despite an expected fall wave of COVID-19, health experts recommend most people wait for the next, updated vaccine — still a few weeks away — to get a booster for the most protection.

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, told CBC News most people should simply wait for the latest shots to become available.

The reason, several experts explained, is two-fold: First, the new boosters will be better tailored to the currently-circulating Omicron subvariants, which should help ward off infections over the fall and winter months.

Second, even without that extra dose, experts say the majority of the population (new window) has already developed longer-lasting protection against serious illness after multiple rounds of vaccination, infection, or both.

For anyone at a higher risk of severe disease, however, Tam said an earlier dose of the currently available vaccines may be beneficial if it’s been more than six months since someone’s last vaccination or infection.

We do recommend people go and talk to their health provider about their own particular risk situation, she said.

What we know about fall COVID-19 boosters

  • Officials expect vaccine roll-outs to begin by October.
  • Drugmakers updating vaccines to better match current strains.
  • Most Canadians can consider getting another shot six months or so after their last vaccination or infection.
  • Anyone at a higher risk of serious illness, including older adults, pregnant individuals, people who are immunocompromised, or people with other health conditions, should talk to their health provider if they want another dose sooner.
  • It’s considered safe to get both your COVID booster and a flu shot at the same appointment.
  • Health Canada is also reviewing updated booster shots for children six months and up.

No one-size-fits-all approach

At this point in Canada’s vaccine rollout, there’s a lot more nuance and less of a one-size-fits-all approach.

Figuring out when people are supposed to get vaccines … it’s getting more complicated, said Dr. Allison McGeer, an infectious diseases specialist at Sinai Health System in Toronto.

The days when Canadians of all ages lined up outside pop-up clinics to get a first or second dose — all to gain protection against a new virus their bodies had never encountered before —  are long gone.

Since then, uptake for boosters has dwindled, while people are regularly being exposed to this virus at various times. Antibody-based protection after an exposure does fade as the months pass, meaning people may benefit from a booster at different points.

There’s different sets of circumstances that make it difficult to just give a blanket recommendation across the country, Tam noted.

McGeer said most people can safely wait six months or so between a previous vaccination or infection before getting another dose, which means the booster timing for each person can vary.

It’s also worth holding out for the latest formulations, since matching the vaccine as much as possible maximizes the immune response against the virus’ ever-evolving spike proteins, said Matthew Miller, an immunologist at McMaster University in Hamilton.

But there’s another part of the fall push: Practicality. Vaccine rollouts, several experts stressed, are pricey and time-consuming, while uptake is often low. Only around four in 10 Canadians got flu shots during the last three seasons (new window), for instance. Officials are now trying to streamline that process by offering both the influenza vaccine and COVID booster shots.

And the goal is to try as hard as we can to be prepared for both of those vaccines rolling out at around the same time, Tam said.

Miller agreed most Canadians can consider a two-for-one approach: Getting a COVID booster and flu shot this fall during the same appointment.

There’s no inherent risk in doing that, and it increases convenience, he said. For vaccines, like the flu shot that we have to update regularly, one of the biggest barriers to uptake of the vaccine is just the convenience factor.

Hospitals still ‘stretched to the limit’

Medical experts are hopeful that vaccination coverage in the months ahead will help combat what could be another busy respiratory virus season.

Our hospital capacity is so stretched to the limit that we need to do everything we can to reduce community rates of vaccine-preventable diseases like COVID, and influenza, and increasingly RSV, in order to ensure that things like routine surgeries and procedures and ER availability is there for all of the other things that people are dealing with, Miller said.

Kids may also have access to updated vaccines in the months ahead, officials say. In an email to CBC News, federal spokesperson Mark Johnson noted some children are at increased risk of severe disease due to COVID-19 or developing post-COVID-19 condition, and vaccination is particularly important for these children.

Health Canada, he added, is actively reviewing submissions for updated vaccines for children six months of age and up.

Some people may benefit from more frequent shots

But what’s most critical, several experts agreed, is for vulnerable populations to get the latest shots, perhaps even more frequently than the broader public.

People who are immunocompromised or pregnant, individuals with other pre-existing health conditions, and older adults all remain at a higher risk of serious illness from a COVID infection.

McGeer said for high-risk seniors such as long-term care residents, getting a booster in both the fall and spring will likely make sense. (Tam said Canada is planning ahead for the possibility of a broader spring vaccination campaign as well, if needed.)

A new analysis from a Yale University research team, published on Monday in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (new window), also suggests more regular shots should be considered for some cancer patients.

The majority of people undergoing cancer treatment could benefit from boosters every six months, the researchers found, with one key exception. Patients whose therapies directly impact their immune response likely need more frequent vaccinations to achieve the same level of protection, said Jeffrey Townsend, a professor of biostatistics at the Yale School of Public Health.

It’s becoming quite clear that for different individuals, there are different levels of risk, and that for different individuals, we need a flexible system that enables them to get boosters as they want, he said.

Lauren Pelley (new window) · CBC News

 

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What’s the greatest holiday gift: lips, hair, skin? Give the gift of great skin this holiday season

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Give the gift of great skin this holiday season

Skinstitut Holiday Gift Kits take the stress out of gifting

Toronto, October 31, 2024 – Beauty gifts are at the top of holiday wish lists this year, and Laser Clinics Canada, a leader in advanced beauty treatments and skincare, is taking the pressure out of seasonal shopping. Today, Laser Clincs Canada announces the arrival of its 2024 Holiday Gift Kits, courtesy of Skinstitut, the exclusive skincare line of Laser Clinics Group.

In time for the busy shopping season, the limited-edition Holiday Gifts Kits are available in Laser Clinics locations in the GTA and Ottawa. Clinics are conveniently located in popular shopping centers, including Hillcrest Mall, Square One, CF Sherway Gardens, Scarborough Town Centre, Rideau Centre, Union Station and CF Markville. These limited-edition Kits are available on a first come, first served basis.

“These kits combine our best-selling products, bundled to address the most relevant skin concerns we’re seeing among our clients,” says Christina Ho, Senior Brand & LAM Manager at Laser Clinics Canada. “With several price points available, the kits offer excellent value and suit a variety of gift-giving needs, from those new to cosmeceuticals to those looking to level up their skincare routine. What’s more, these kits are priced with a savings of up to 33 per cent so gift givers can save during the holiday season.

There are two kits to select from, each designed to address key skin concerns and each with a unique theme — Brightening Basics and Hydration Heroes.

Brightening Basics is a mix of everyday essentials for glowing skin for all skin types. The bundle comes in a sleek pink, reusable case and includes three full-sized products: 200ml gentle cleanser, 50ml Moisture Defence (normal skin) and 30ml1% Hyaluronic Complex Serum. The Brightening Basics kit is available at $129, a saving of 33 per cent.

Hydration Heroes is a mix of hydration essentials and active heroes that cater to a wide variety of clients. A perfect stocking stuffer, this bundle includes four deluxe products: Moisture 15 15 ml Defence for normal skin, 10 ml 1% Hyaluronic Complex Serum, 10 ml Retinol Serum and 50 ml Expert Squalane Cleansing Oil. The kit retails at $59.

In addition to the 2024 Holiday Gifts Kits, gift givers can easily add a Laser Clinic Canada gift card to the mix. Offering flexibility, recipients can choose from a wide range of treatments offered by Laser Clinics Canada, or they can expand their collection of exclusive Skinstitut products.

 

Brightening Basics 2024 Holiday Gift Kit by Skinstitut, available exclusively at Laser Clincs Canada clinics and online at skinstitut.ca.

Hydration Heroes 2024 Holiday Gift Kit by Skinstitut – available exclusively at Laser Clincs Canada clinics and online at skinstitut.ca.

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Here is how to prepare your online accounts for when you die

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LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?

It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.

Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:

Apple

The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.

For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.

You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.

Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.

Google

Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.

When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.

You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.

There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.

Facebook and Instagram

Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.

When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.

The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.

You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.

TikTok

The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.

Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.

X

It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.

Passwords

Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?

Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.

But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.

___

Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.

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Pediatric group says doctors should regularly screen kids for reading difficulties

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The Canadian Paediatric Society says doctors should regularly screen children for reading difficulties and dyslexia, calling low literacy a “serious public health concern” that can increase the risk of other problems including anxiety, low self-esteem and behavioural issues, with lifelong consequences.

New guidance issued Wednesday says family doctors, nurses, pediatricians and other medical professionals who care for school-aged kids are in a unique position to help struggling readers access educational and specialty supports, noting that identifying problems early couldhelp kids sooner — when it’s more effective — as well as reveal other possible learning or developmental issues.

The 10 recommendations include regular screening for kids aged four to seven, especially if they belong to groups at higher risk of low literacy, including newcomers to Canada, racialized Canadians and Indigenous Peoples. The society says this can be done in a two-to-three-minute office-based assessment.

Other tips encourage doctors to look for conditions often seen among poor readers such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; to advocate for early literacy training for pediatric and family medicine residents; to liaise with schools on behalf of families seeking help; and to push provincial and territorial education ministries to integrate evidence-based phonics instruction into curriculums, starting in kindergarten.

Dr. Scott McLeod, one of the authors and chair of the society’s mental health and developmental disabilities committee, said a key goal is to catch kids who may be falling through the cracks and to better connect families to resources, including quicker targeted help from schools.

“Collaboration in this area is so key because we need to move away from the silos of: everything educational must exist within the educational portfolio,” McLeod said in an interview from Calgary, where he is a developmental pediatrician at Alberta Children’s Hospital.

“Reading, yes, it’s education, but it’s also health because we know that literacy impacts health. So I think that a statement like this opens the window to say: Yes, parents can come to their health-care provider to get advice, get recommendations, hopefully start a collaboration with school teachers.”

McLeod noted that pediatricians already look for signs of low literacy in young children by way of a commonly used tool known as the Rourke Baby Record, which offers a checklist of key topics, such as nutrition and developmental benchmarks, to cover in a well-child appointment.

But he said questions about reading could be “a standing item” in checkups and he hoped the society’s statement to medical professionals who care for children “enhances their confidence in being a strong advocate for the child” while spurring partnerships with others involved in a child’s life such as teachers and psychologists.

The guidance said pediatricians also play a key role in detecting and monitoring conditions that often coexist with difficulty reading such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, but McLeod noted that getting such specific diagnoses typically involves a referral to a specialist, during which time a child continues to struggle.

He also acknowledged that some schools can be slow to act without a specific diagnosis from a specialist, and even then a child may end up on a wait list for school interventions.

“Evidence-based reading instruction shouldn’t have to wait for some of that access to specialized assessments to occur,” he said.

“My hope is that (by) having an existing statement or document written by the Canadian Paediatric Society … we’re able to skip a few steps or have some of the early interventions present,” he said.

McLeod added that obtaining specific assessments from medical specialists is “definitely beneficial and advantageous” to know where a child is at, “but having that sort of clear, thorough assessment shouldn’t be a barrier to intervention starting.”

McLeod said the society was partly spurred to act by 2022’s “Right to Read Inquiry Report” from the Ontario Human Rights Commission, which made 157 recommendations to address inequities related to reading instruction in that province.

He called the new guidelines “a big reminder” to pediatric providers, family doctors, school teachers and psychologists of the importance of literacy.

“Early identification of reading difficulty can truly change the trajectory of a child’s life.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2024.

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