As Canadians embark on a new year -- the second in a row to be marked by the designation of a global pandemic -- many find themselves asking a familiar question: 鈥淲hen will COVID-19 end?鈥
In December, optimism for a 鈥渘ormal鈥 holiday season was once again overshadowed by a sudden resurgence of cases fuelled by the Omicron variant, forcing several provinces to implement stricter public health restrictions and prompting record case counts not yet seen during the pandemic.
But, despite the looming threat of Omicron, Canada鈥檚 top doctor says she remains hopeful going into the new year鈥攐ne she hopes will allow us to live more comfortably with the virus that has long disrupted life as we know it.
鈥淚t's true that nobody can really have a crystal ball, but I think it's just a reminder that we're not in the same place as we were last year,鈥 Dr. Theresa Tam told CTV National News during a year-end interview.
鈥淪o much has happened [over the last] 12 months to put us, I think, and I'm still a much better spot than we were a year ago.鈥
Canada has come a long way in its pandemic response over the last 12 months.
This time last year, we had just started to vaccinate high-risk individuals against COVID-19. Today, Canada boasts one of the highest vaccination rates in the world with more than 82 per cent of the population vaccinated with at least one dose.
With the emergence of new variants like Delta and Omicron, we also learned a lot more about how the virus works, leading to the development of better treatment and diagnostic tools and an evolving understanding of important public health measures such as masking.
And although Tam admits she cannot offer Canadians a clear view of when the pandemic will end, she says these developments will help better manage future waves of the virus without as much disruption.
鈥淓very pandemic comes to an end throughout history. So, at some point, the virus activity will become more predictable,鈥 Tam said.
鈥淚 think that in the coming months we might begin to see a little bit more predictability and also be able to protect our high-risk populations so that we can learn to live with this virus more鈥 but I still think that in the next year, we still have to be vigilant and be able to adapt and be flexible as needed.鈥
THE EVOLVING SCIENCE OF VACCINES: ARE BOOSTERS HERE TO STAY?
Omicron鈥檚 spread has also sparked a massive booster shot campaign, with thousands of Canadians lining up to get their third jab, bringing up questions like, 鈥淲hat does it mean to be fully vaccinated?鈥 and, 鈥淲ill I need multiple booster shots to protect myself?鈥
In December, Canada鈥檚 National Advisory Committee on Immunization strongly recommended that booster shots be administered to Canadians aged 50 and older and those in high-risk groups to strengthen the body鈥檚 immune response against COVID-19.
But the science surrounding vaccines, Tam says, is evolving as rapidly as the virus itself.
鈥淎fter one dose, we knew we had to have a second dose, and we had a stretch interval in Canada for that second dose, so we didn't know the duration of protection of that second dose, as well as what happens when the virus evolves,鈥 she explained.
鈥淣ow we've learned a little bit more, and that boosters are needed because antibody levels can wane over time. But the good news, I think, in the emerging science is that two doses likely protect you against severe outcomes and that's almost the most important marker that we should be looking for.鈥
Tam notes that boosters will also wane over time, but the hope is that it recharges your immune system to further protect against severe outcomes, taking pressure off of the health-care system.
鈥淭here's a possibility that we would need some sort of vaccination on an ongoing basis, but maybe not everyone will need it. Maybe not every year. The timing of those are still unknown,鈥 she added.
When it comes to the availability of booster shots鈥攁 factor handled individually by the provinces鈥擳am urged Canadians to be patient when facing long line-ups or booking delays.
鈥淭his is what I would call an ultramarathon鈥攊t鈥檚 not even a marathon anymore. The whole system is taxed鈥 but people are still trying their hardest to provide vaccines and other supports for the population,鈥 she said.
鈥淰accinators are not that easy to come by either. They're tired. And so, I think if people can line up in an orderly fashion, we'll get everybody boosted in a relatively short period of time.鈥
At the same time, World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus recently warned that "we will not boost our way out of this pandemic," saying it is of the utmost importance that we get first and second doses to those who have not yet had them.
Throughout the pandemic, Canada has provided vaccines and financial support to other countries through global efforts like the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative, which pools funds from wealthier countries to buy vaccines for low and middle-income countries.
So far, Canada has donated more than 9.2 million surplus vaccine doses through COVAX and over 762,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through direct bilateral agreements. Still, there are calls to do more as Canada's vaccine reserve fills up.
When asked about Canada's efforts to provide vaccines to other countries, Tam agreed that every developed country should be providing vaccines to low income countries, but maintained that boosters are important for Canadians, especially those in higher risk groups.
"I think it Canada is taking a very reasonable approach. And we've we kind of have to do both... even though we're in a developed country, it's in a very fragile state and we got to do all that we can to minimize the severe outcomes and protect our tired and stressed healthcare system," Tam said.
WHAT ABOUT RAPID TESTS?
Also in short supply are rapid antigen tests (RATs), a tool many provinces have pivoted towards amid the Omicron surge as provincial testing centres hit capacity.
The fast-acting tests that provide results in as little as 15 minutes have become highly sought after amid the Omicron surge as Canadians try to navigate the holiday season safely. In provinces like Ontario and Alberta, rapid testing kits were made free to each household, but supplies quickly ran out sparking outrage about supply.
But Tam says while there is a definite use-case for rapid tests, they are not an infinite resource or a fix-all.
鈥淚 think we're all learning how to use these tests wisely. Some of the most important [reasons] to do a rapid test is to keep schools and essential workplaces functioning and targeting them to protect the high-risk health-care workers, the long-term care [workers] and the visitors to those places are really vital,鈥 she said.
鈥淚 think it is difficult when people can't find a test before they socialize. But we do have to really retain those rapid tests for those who need them the most.鈥
Tam also notes that rapid tests are only considered an added layer of protection against infection, not a guarantee.
鈥淚f you get a negative rapid test just remember this is more like a yellow light, it doesn't mean that you're free of the virus, particularly something that spreads as quickly as the Omicron virus. You have to test very frequently in order to be able to detect if you have been infected in between the tests,鈥 she explained.
Despite some provinces doling out free rapid test kits to families over the holidays, Tam says she isn't sure that providing rapid tests to every Canadian household, like they do in the U.K., would be the best use of supplies.
"If you look at the United Kingdom, they use more rapid tests, but that hasn't necessarily reduced the health impacts. In Canada, we've actually done better overall in terms of our severe outcomes and number of deaths," she said.
"So even though the U.K. deployed a lot of rapid tests, it has not meant that the impact of COVID is any less on them. So again, we have to use these tests as an additional layer but as a means to just cast off the other layers of protection."
Despite the sharp rise in cases, Tam says the Omicron variant is teaching us yet another important lesson about how COVID-19 may evolve, noting 鈥渢here are definitely more positive things awaiting us ahead.鈥
鈥淲e have to remain optimistic. Nobody wants this pandemic that keeps carrying on, everyone is tired, but you know, we can't do anything except for maintain that hope.鈥
