Health Committee on April 30th, 2021

[Dr. Theresa Tam]

Thank you.

As per the recommendation of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and the consensus of the provincial chief medical officers of health as well, the best strategy for Canadians at this time is to get the first dose fast, because an effective first dose provides broad coverage for as many people as possible.

That interval is being watched very carefully. We have not seen any waning of effectiveness at this point.

However, any scientific information—for example, from Pfizer—needs to be examined. We are prepared to examine that with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization. We do not know about this third booster. It is something that must be further scientifically examined and watched carefully over time.

It's an important question. We will obviously provide the information to Canadians and health providers as fast as we can get the actual scientific analysis.

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Pickering—Uxbridge, ON]

Thank you.

Isn't this idea of a booster being considered in countries around the world, regardless of the dosing timeline and more in response to the vaccines themselves, the variants, and just better understanding the virus?

[Dr. Theresa Tam]

Yes, that is correct.

All manufacturers are paying attention to this, as well as public health systems. As we all know, the virus undergoes evolution. It is actually really important to get ahead of the curve, particularly as some of the variants that have been identified around the world have the potential for a reduction in vaccine protection. I think it is absolutely the necessary and prudent step.

As we've seen, the system is in place to authorize through the regulator expert opinion and then provide advice on whether a booster dose is needed, but we need to prepare for the potential for that to happen.

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Pickering—Uxbridge, ON]

Thank you, Dr. Tam, for clarifying that for the record.

Mr. Chair, through you, this is in regard to the other point of the tweet that just went out, misrepresenting, I believe, what I heard with my own ears in this committee. The tweet was that “Officials have given the government advice regarding potentially grounding or reducing interprovincial flights.”

Again, Mr. Chair, that's not the testimony I heard from Mr. Stewart or the minister. Perhaps you could clarify that, as well as the fact that it has been widely reported that premiers are perfectly able to initiate interprovincial travel restrictions. as has been done in Atlantic Canada.

Could you perhaps correct the record and clarify your statements?

[Iain Stewart]

Thank you for the question.

What I was trying to say is that we do scenario planning in a wide range of areas. From my group, the Public Health Agency of Canada, we have not given specific advice to ground flights at this time. We have not given specific advice to do that.

As the member notes, in Atlantic Canada provinces have had the jurisdiction and wherewithal to organize measures around limiting interprovincial travel. Of course, other provinces have the similar ability.

Thank you for the question.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

I'll just add to that, Mr. Chair.

As the Prime Minister has noted, a number of provinces and territories have restricted entry or imposed provincial quarantines for travellers. That is of course every premier's choice if he wishes to do so.

I almost said “if he or she wishes to do so”, but I realize there are no female premiers at the moment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Thank you, Ms. O'Connell.

We go now to Ms. Rempel Garner. Please go ahead for five minutes.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Thank you, Chair.

To Dr. Lucas, has the government or your department received the report from the COVID-19 testing and screening advisory panel?

[Dr. Stephen Lucas]

Mr. Chair, the testing and screening panel has prepared and released three reports, one in February pertaining to the overall approach on rapid testing. They've had one on long-term care as well, and one on testing and screening in schools.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

I believe there was one additional report that hasn't been released to the public yet. Is that correct?

[Dr. Stephen Lucas]

Mr. Chair, the committee continues its work, and as the work is completed, reports will be released.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Thank you.

Does the department have any reports in its possession right now from that panel that have not been released to the public?

[Dr. Stephen Lucas]

Mr. Chair, the panel has not completed any reports for release at this point, and when they do, they will be provided to the public.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Thank you.

Dr. Tam, do you agree with the statement that one dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine still leaves patients vulnerable to variants?

[Dr. Theresa Tam]

It's very important for all Canadians to know that two doses are needed to complete the course. One dose or two doses are not 100% effective, so it's always important to complete the recommended schedules.

One dose is a very effective dose, particularly at preventing ICU admissions and deaths.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Thank you.

Given emerging data on the reduction and immunity associated with the Pfizer vaccine, perhaps I'll direct the question to Mr. Stewart.

Is your department potentially going to give any advice on changing the dosing interval for the Pfizer vaccine in terms of the dosing delay of a maximum of four months?

[Iain Stewart]

It's Dr. Tam in the Public Health Agency of Canada who leads that work, honourable member.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Dr. Tam, are you considering any change to the four-month dosing delay for the Pfizer vaccine at this time?

[Dr. Theresa Tam]

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization indicates up to four months, and provinces have the ability to adjust.

I think, with the increasing supply of vaccines coming in, we will begin to see them adjusting the intervals as they plan their implementation.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

For those Canadians who will have had a four-month dosing delay on the Pfizer vaccine, are you looking into the potential need for an additional dose of that vaccine for those persons beyond dose one and dose two?

[Dr. Theresa Tam]

The interval does not diminish the quality or the immunity of the vaccine. As to whether a booster is needed, that's a slightly different question.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

When you're talking about boosters, you're talking about the same vaccine, just given a third time, right?

[Dr. Theresa Tam]

It depends on the evolving science. There are clinical trials ongoing to look at mixed schedules as well. That is not guaranteed, and we will follow the science and the clinical trials.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

In this context, when you're talking about boosters, I am asking, will the same dose of the vaccine—the same formula, or whatever—potentially be needed more than twice in a patient who has had a four-month dosing interval of the Pfizer vaccine in Canada?

[Dr. Theresa Tam]

I think one fact that is not well understood by Canadians is that the interval stretch does not diminish the response of that second dose, and for most—