Canada communicable disease report = Relevé des maladies transmissibles au Canada
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Can. Commun. Dis. Rep. · May 2021
Simple mathematical modelling approaches to assessing the transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2 at gatherings.
Gatherings may contribute significantly to the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). For this reason, public health interventions have sought to constrain unrepeated or recurrent gatherings to curb the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Unfortunately, the range of different types of gatherings hinders specific guidance from setting limiting parameters (e.g. total size, number of cohorts, the extent of physical distancing). ⋯ The generality of the modelling framework used here helps to disentangle the various factors affecting transmission risk at gatherings and may be useful for public health decision-making.
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Can. Commun. Dis. Rep. · Nov 2020
Canadian Immunization Guide: "Anaphylaxis and other acute reactions following vaccination" chapter update.
The Canadian Immunization Guide (CIG) is a comprehensive resource on immunization for health professionals and vaccine program decision-makers. It is developed based on the evidence-based recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). The NACI Vaccine Safety Working Group (VSWG) is comprised of NACI members, liaison members and external experts. The World Allergy Organization now recommends that antihistamines should not be used in the initial treatment of anaphylaxis. The update of the chapter was also used to provide further information and clarity to several tables in the chapter. ⋯ The updated CIG chapter provides healthcare providers with further clarity in recognizing and managing anaphylaxis in community settings. The updated intramuscular epinephrine dosage table will aid in optimal epinephrine administration, while the revised guidance against the use of diphenhydramine hydrochloride will prevent its unnecessary stockpiling in preparation for potential mass vaccination clinics related to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
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Can. Commun. Dis. Rep. · Sep 2020
Vaccine Injury Compensation Programs: Rationale and an overview of the Québec program.
Vaccines are among the safest therapeutic agents, and serious adverse events rarely occur. When they do occur, an individual may have to bear some or all of the costs associated with their injuries, seek compensation through litigation or, if available, seek compensation from a publicly-supported Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VIC Programs). The VIC Programs are "no-fault" compensation schemes in which governments compensate individuals who are harmed by properly manufactured vaccines. ⋯ They all have similar processes with respect to process, standard of proof and elements of compensation. In Canada, only the province of Québec has a VIC Program, which has been running successfully since 1985. Concerns with VIC Programs include cost, difficulties assessing causality and concern that such programs may undermine public trust in vaccines; but these concerns can be addressed, especially in high-income countries that can bear the costs and have the capacity to manage the program.
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Can. Commun. Dis. Rep. · Sep 2020
Trends in pre-military sexually transmitted infections and associated risk behaviours in Canadian Armed Forces recruits.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have historically been problematic for militaries. Recent reports indicating that rates of STIs among young male Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members are higher than civilians prompted a need to better understand CAF members' reported rates of STIs and their behavioural risk factors for STIs. This study examined the prevalence of self-reported pre-military sexual behaviours (i.e. number of sexual partners and frequency of condom use) and history of a STI diagnosis among CAF recruits attending basic military training using data collected from the Recruit Health Questionnaire. ⋯ These observations provide an indication of the baseline, pre-enlistment STI risk behaviours, and STI history among CAF recruits, and may provide insight into avenues for targeted interventions and health promotion programming, such as education and screening initiatives.
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Can. Commun. Dis. Rep. · Apr 2020
Large community mumps outbreak in Manitoba, Canada, September 2016-December 2018.
After routine mumps immunization programs were implemented in Manitoba in the 1980s, incidence was low, with 0-9 cases of disease annually. In September 2016, a mumps outbreak began in fully vaccinated university students in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ⋯ This prolonged outbreak revealed a large vulnerable population likely resulting from under-vaccination and waning vaccine-induced immunity in the absence of natural boosting from exposure to mumps virus. It is important to maintain high two-dose coverage with mumps-containing vaccines. A third dose of mumps-containing vaccine in future outbreaks may be considered.