[GTALUG] Covids and other vaxxes Re: General Meeting Reminder

[Don Tai]

I asked at my local Shopper's Drug Mart yesterday (Thursday Sep 26) about
the new C-19 vaccination, which is supposed to cover the new variant KP.2.
There are 3 approved new vaccines: Phizer-BionTech, Moderna and Novavax.
She told me there is no availability as yet, and I should check back 2024
Nov 10th or so.

On Fri, 27 Sept 2024 at 21:24, bitmap via talk <talk at gtalug.org> wrote:

> Here is where to find out about covid vaccine availability:
> https://www.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations/
>
> And here's some epi infos for kicks
>
> https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/Data-and-Analysis/Infectious-Disease/Respiratory-Virus-Tool
>
> As to the RATs, everything ever shipped by MOH expired last week at the
> latest. Tho i saw 1 pop +ve the other day so they are still working
> somewhat. Only today (maybe yesterday) have new ones been available for
> order for health facilities. I can't find the link about what the new kits
> are currently approved for because I'm at home but if you really really
> need to know ping me in the week. (It's probably on public health Ontario
> and/or health Canada website.)
>
> While we are talking lungs and associated body parts, there have been a
> bunch of changes/additions to vaccination situations re pneumonia and RSV
> in Ontario. Documentation for this within health care industry is not very
> good. Confusion is high. And there have been a huge amount of changes to
> these and other vaccines all in the past few months. (I am not aware of
> when so many vaccine changes happened all at once...maybe in the 60s or
> smthg? Its crazy.) So if your care provider declines you for one of these
> now but you think they're mistaken, ask again another time after they've
> been able to digest the info.
>
> These are mainly relevant to babies (less than 12 or in few cases 24
> months), old people (over 60 y only sometimes) and people who have the kind
> of health condition where you are under the care of specialists. (Organ
> transplant, dialysis). Also indigenous people and some other groups.
>
>
> https://www.ontario.ca/page/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-prevention-programs
>
> That said in the past few years Canadian (PHAC) guidelines have changed to
> include many more people in the pneumonia vaccines such as smokers, asthma
> etc BUT the Ontario funding guidelines are NOT kept up with this. So you
> might be out of date per the national guidelines but not technically
> "eligible" per provincial. Some providers with their thinking caps on may
> be going with the national guidelines.. I am hoping that all the fast paced
> changes now happening will settle out to Ontario being in compliance with
> Canada. On the bright side if you missed out before it means you'll get the
> new, better vaccine ?eventually. If you have cash or insurance you can
> likely get an Rx for whatever your heart or macrophage desires.
>
>
> https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/page-16-pneumococcal-vaccine.html -
> Ctrl+f in page for "table" and see if you (or another person you are
> reading in the interest of) is included in a risk group. If unclear OK to
> send me a private email I can help to interpret but not provide advice ofc.)
>
> And lastly if you are so motivated there is a pertussis (aka whooping
> cough) increase currently in Ontario. Everyone should have  at least 1
> documented dose of pertussis vaccine given after age 26.  It is usually
> given as tdap (brand name Adacel or Boostrix). If you can't determine the
> exact date/location this occurred then it is considered Not Done. Vague
> memories don't count. Nor does an assumption that it was "probably done".
> This is especially important if you will have any contact with an infant.
> Or the family of an infant if said family is wackadoodle not vaxxxing
> themselves. Pertussis in a baby is a true horror. They break their own ribs
> from coughing so hard. So we need to protect these babies from their dumb
> families by all making sure we have the aP.
>
> Lastly lastly flu shot will be available soon. Don't be a wuss. Get a flu
> shot. Shoppers, rexall, nofrills etc will all have it for free. Plan to
> wear a t shirt on a grocery trip mid/late October. No excuses do it for the
> team even if you "never get sick". Ppl over 65 should get the 4x flu shot
> if possible; but it's better to get any flu shot then waiting for the best
> one.
>
> And also meningitis polio measles HPV and mpox. All preventable via
> community immunity. Instead we're putting Ontario on the map as a high risk
> travel destination. Its a choice were making collectively.
>
> But what about Linux? Idk. Is it bad Libre to use zsh? I feel like I
> should use bash on philosophical grounds but I like zsh so much more. I
> tried really hard to switch to bash.
>
> The grandmother of the guy who wrote bash is the original illustrator of
> the monopoly man and it only endears bash further.
>
> Flu shots plz.
>
>
> On September 10, 2024 3:27:05 AM EDT, Evan Leibovitch via talk <
> talk at gtalug.org> wrote:
>
>> On Mon, Sep 9, 2024 at 3:28 PM Steve Litt via talk <talk at gtalug.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> please consider getting the new 2024-2025 Covid shot that is adjusted
>>> for the new strains going around.
>>>
>>
>> if you can find it.
>>
>> I've been to the places where I usually get my shots (six so far, last
>> one in November). They don't have anything yet.
>> One told me they'll probably get them at the same time as they get this
>> season's flu shots.
>>
>> BTW, can the original COVID test detect the new strain?
>> Maybe it doesn't matter, the ones I have are now well past their
>> expiration dates.
>> But nobody seems to have new test kits either, so I haven't disposed of
>> mine.
>>
>> - Evan
>>
>> ---
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