Coronavirus in perspective

I saw on Global News on Saturday morning a physician speaking on the likelihood of contracting Coronavirus in Canada--and the comparison to Influenza.

·         Coronavirus has had about 320600 deaths worldwide and about 93,000 cases reported.

·         Influenza has over 10,000 deaths in the USA alone this year, 19 million infected with the flu, and 180,000 hospitalized (according to the Centre for Disease Control & Prevention in the US).  In Canada, there are between 2000 and 4000 people die each year from the flu.

·         It's better to put this in perspective.  You are much more likely to be infected with the flu.  Wash your hands often and get your flu shot if you already haven't. Protect yourself, your family, your friends, your neighbours

Shingles

•      Chickenpox vaccine the varicella vaccine (Varivax) has become a routine childhood immunization to prevent chickenpox. The vaccine is also recommended for adults who have never had chickenpox.

•      Zostavax has been shown to offer protection against shingles for about five years. Costs $175 & has about 55% efficacy and decreases over 5 years.

•      Shingrix Studies suggest Shingrix offers protection against shingles beyond five years. Is given in two doses, with 2 to 6 months between doses. $150 each. Shingrix is approved and recommended for people aged 50 and older, including those who've previously received Zostavax. Zostavax isn't recommended until age 60. About 95% efficacy & is long-lasting.

Pneumonia

• Pneumococcal Vaccination

•      Prevnar 13 ($125) is administered in adults as a single dose into the arm or leg muscle. It is used for the prevention of diseases such as pneumonia, bacteremia pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis caused by 13 types of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumonia.

•      Pneumovax 23 (publicly funded--free) Get it 8 weeks after Prevnar 13 shot. It is used for the prevention of pneumonia caused by the 23 different types of pneumococci bacteria that are contained in the vaccine. Pneumococcal bacteria can cause many diseases ranging from pneumonia (lung infection) and meningitis (brain infection) to severe infections of the blood.

Influenza

•      High-Dose Influenza Vaccine has 4 times the antigen of a standard dose vaccine to account for “immunosenescence”. (weakening of the immune system over time)

•      This superior protection increases with those much older than 65 and with pre-existing underlying chronic conditions. (protection for an 80 yr old is about 37% better)

•      The National Advisory Council on Immunization (NACI) recommends High-Dose TIV compared with the standard dose TIV for adults 65 years (2019/2020)

Vaccination Funding	Drug	Cost (BC, Canada)
• Decreasing Immunity with Age Pneumonia
Decreases your chance of congestion of lungs	Prevnar 13	$125.00
Compromised immune systems	Pneumovax 23	Free
• Decreasing Immunity with Age Shingles
Decreases your chance of discomfort/pain	Zostavax 50%	$175
Compromised immune systems	Shingrix 95%	$300
Decreasing Immunity with Age Influenza
Decreases your chance of complications	High Dost +24	$75
Decreases your chance of hospitalization Decreases your chance of death https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd2LbO4dCr4 Continue to perform Activities of Daily Life	Standard Dose	free