Layers of Protection Against COVID-19

Covid-19 has taken the lives of 50,000 Canadians, the vast majority of which were older adults.  Thankfully, three years on there are layers of protection available to us.

For most, though certainly not all, life as we know it seems largely back to usual.  Yet Covid-19 is still an issue, with some experts claiming current variants are more infectious than ever.  We might think the first year of the pandemic was the hardest hitting, yet federal data indicates Canada’s deadliest year for COVID-19 was in fact 2022. Here’s how to protect yourself from a pandemic that is not yet over.

Covid-19 Protection 101

By now we all know the basics.  Wash your hands, mask for extra protection, and be cautious about attending large indoor gatherings or being near sick people.  

The best way to protect yourself remains staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters. This may also help prevent long-term complications from COVID-19 infection. 

If it’s been 6 months or longer since your last vaccine dose or COVID-19 infection, get a booster dose by contacting your province or territory or health care provider.  Questions about the latest information on vaccines or boosters?  Go to Health Canada for up-to-date information.

Vulnerable Populations

Many Canadians remain at serious risk for COVID-19.  Either they are unable to take the vaccines for medical reasons, or their bodies do not generate a sufficient immune response, even after receiving the recommended doses of the vaccine. The pandemic has taken a great toll on this community, leaving them both susceptible to more severe outcomes and also more likely to feel isolated in attempts to avoid sickness.

If you have a compromised immune system, there are additional layers of protection you can take beyond vaccination, including a new monoclonal antibody treatment approved by Health Canada which may help prevent COVID-19.  

Monoclonal Antibodies are proteins that work to prevent the SARS-CoV-2 virus from infecting healthy cells in the body.  They are not a substitute for vaccination in individuals for whom COVID-19 vaccination is recommended.

You can learn more by going to www.hugagain.ca

Protection If You Test Positive for COVID-19

If you test positive for COVID-19, there may also be treatment options available to you, such as antivirals and monoclonal antibodies that can help your body overcome the infection. Some monoclonal antibodies can be used for prevention and treatment. These are not a substitute for vaccination in individuals for whom COVID-19 vaccination is recommended.

Treatment is for vulnerable groups including immune-compromised individuals and those over 60 years of age, who have tested positive for COVID, request treatment within five days of symptoms appearing, and who do not have contraindications (conditions who would make the medication unsafe).  

Options available to the Immune-Compromised Community

Speak to your health care professional about all of the options available to help protect you from a virus that has not “gone away” and poses its greatest risk to older adults and those who are immune-compromised.