The booster is essential to get us out of the Omicron wave

Medical microbiologist and infectious disease consultant Alex Carignan has released a statement on the Omicron variant in Quebec and the importance of the booster.

The statement follows the results from a new South African study that shows a decrease in the protection provided by two doses of Pfizer from 80% during the Delta wave to 33% during the Omicron wave. The efficacy against hospitalizations was also reduced from 93% during the Delta wave to 70% during the Omicron wave.

Carignan has confirmed that, according to a U.K. study, the booster dose would restore the efficacy of vaccine protection to 75%.

“In the context of the likely exponential increase in the Omicron variant in Quebec, it is clear that the booster dose remains an important tool to minimize the impact of this wave. As soon as the dose is available to you, jump on it!”

—Alex Carignan

For the full thread, please click on the tweet below.

Dans cette étude, l'efficacité contre les hospitalisations était aussi réduite, passant de 93% pendant la vague Delta à 70% lors de la vague Omicron.

3/6 pic.twitter.com/32BOIB3bP8

— Alex Carignan (@carignan_alex) December 17, 2021

The calendar for booster shot eligibility in Quebec can be seen below.

????Les dates d’ouverture de prise de rendez-vous pour la dose de rappel pour chaque groupe d’âge ont été devancées!

Voici la nouvelle séquence prévue ???? pic.twitter.com/KTcIJR1WAg

— Santé Québec (@sante_qc) January 6, 2022

For more on COVID-19 vaccination booster shots in Quebec, please click here.

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