Tag: COVID-19
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New Brunswick accelerates vaccine access with COVID-19 and flu shots starting Oct. 14
Vaccines available in New Brunswick starting Oct. 14 New Brunswick is expanding vaccination access as the respiratory illness season approaches. The province announced that new free COVID-19 and influenza vaccines will be available to eligible residents starting October 14. People can book appointments online now, with vaccination clinics set to begin next week. What vaccines…
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A Personal Reflection on Miscarriage, Care, and Hospital Realities During Covid
Introduction: bearing the weight of loss in a crowded hospital Three years have passed since my miscarriage, yet the shadow it cast still lingers in ordinary moments. My hospital memory is a blend of clinical routines, quiet loneliness, and small revelations about what care can be—and should be—during pregnancy loss. While the world contended with…
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CDC Updates Immunization Guidelines: ‘Informed Consent Is Back’ and New Standalone Varicella Vaccine
CDC Reframes COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new immunization schedules that move away from universal COVID-19 vaccination recommendations toward a model emphasizing individual decision-making. The change signals a shift in how public health guidance is communicated to clinicians and the public, with the agency urging healthcare…
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CDC Updates Immunization Guidelines: Informed Consent Returns as COVID-19 Strategy Shifts
Overview: A Shift Toward Individual-Based Decisions The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated immunization schedules that mark a pivot from universal COVID-19 vaccination recommendations to a framework emphasizing informed, individual-based decision-making. In a move described by health officials as returning autonomy to clinicians and patients, the 2025 updates place emphasis…
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Windsor Regional Hospital Prepares for Respiratory Season
Windsor Regional Hospital Prepares for Respiratory Season As respiratory virus season approaches, Windsor Regional Hospital is outlining its plans to manage possible surges while keeping the community protected. Hospital officials report that current case numbers are low, but vigilance remains high as COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) begin to appear in the region.…
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UHG Faces Bed Pressure After Busy Weekend and COVID Outbreaks
Overview: A challenging weekend for University Hospital Galway University Hospital Galway (UHG) is under significant strain as it copes with a combination of surge demand in its Emergency Department (ED) and two active COVID-19 outbreaks on wards. The hospital reported that during the weekend, a total of 420 people visited the ED over Saturday and…
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FluWatchers: Canadians Volunteer to Track Respiratory Illness
FluWatchers: A national volunteer effort to monitor respiratory illness As cold and flu season tightens its grip, public health officials rely on a mosaic of data sources to keep communities informed. One innovative component of Canada’s FluWatch monitoring system is FluWatchers—a national volunteer-based program that supports early detection of respiratory illnesses across the country. By…
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Azelastine Nasal Spray: A Potential Shield Against COVID-19 and Rhinovirus
Introduction: A Promising Approach in Respiratory Virus Prevention Azelastine nasal spray, long used to treat allergic rhinitis, is being explored as a potential preventive tool against respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Recent findings from a phase II randomized trial published in JAMA Internal Medicine indicate that intranasal azelastine may lower the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infections and…
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FluWatchers: Canadians track respiratory illness nationwide
What is FluWatchers and why it matters As the cold and flu season advances, health professionals scramble to identify outbreaks early. FluWatchers is a national, volunteer-based program that supports the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) FluWatch monitoring system. By gathering weekly symptom data from volunteers, it helps public health teams spot rising trends in…
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Pressure Mounts at University Hospital Galway After Busy Weekend and COVID Outbreaks
Overview: A Weekend Surge and Ongoing Outbreaks Strain Galway’s Hospital University Hospital Galway (UHG) is under significant pressure after a busy weekend that saw an exceptionally high number of emergency department (ED) visits, coupled with COVID-19 outbreaks on two wards. By Monday morning, the hospital reported 29 patients in the ED and 39 patients on…