Written by Dr. Sandra Miranda, ND

In a continued effort to keep all my patients informed and educated on their health choices, I wanted to share with you information that I receive in regards to the COVID vaccine. I will continue to write more blogs on this important topic as I get more reliable information.

As many of you know, Health Canada announced that following an independent review it has determined that the Pfizer – BioNtech vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine meets the Departments stringent safety, efficacy and quality requirements for use in Canada.

In the middle of so much information, it is sometimes hard to discern what is true and what is not.  The vaccine is new and we are still waiting to find out more information.  As I continue gathering true and reliable data, I will make sure to share it with all of you.

 Here is some reliable facts that I have so far:

• Health Canada has stated its ongoing commitment to openness and transparency.  They will be publishing a dedicated website www.covid-vaccine.canada.ca where they will be posting a number of technical and other documents related to its decision including the product monograph, instructions for use, potential side effects and warnings.  This website will also include information of any other COVID vaccines that may be approved in the near future.
• This current rollout started last month (Dec 2020) will include less than 300,000 doses. 
• Health Canada is committed to closely monitoring any side effects or adverse reactions as the result of inoculation of the vaccine.  Health care professionals are required to report any adverse events after receiving the vaccination.  If you will be receiving this COVID vaccine and if you are having an adverse effect please make sure to report it to your medical doctor or naturopathic doctor.
• This Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are an mRNA vaccine. 
• It is approved for people who are 16 years of age and older. The safety and effectiveness in people younger than 16 years of age have not yet been established.

The following is information is from www.canada.ca website.

How does it work?

“mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a protein that will trigger an immune response without using the live virus that causes COVID-19.  Once triggered, our body then makes antibodies.  These antibodies help us fight the infection if the real virus does enter our body in the future.”

“When a person is given the vaccine, their cells will read the genetic instructions like a recipe and produce the spike protein.  After the protein piece is made, the cell breaks down the instructions and gets rid of them.   Then the cell displays the protein piece on its surface.  Our immune system recognizes that the protein doesn’t belong there and begins building an immune response and making antibodies”

How is it given?

“The vaccine is given by an injection (0.3 mls) into the muscle of the arm.  For the vaccine to work best, you need to get 2 doses: a single dose and then a second dose 21 days later.

Based on studies in about 44,000 participants, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 beginning 1 week after the second dose.  This means that people may not be fully protected against COVID-19 until at least 7 days after the second dose.”

Who will get vaccinated first?

Priority high risk groups will be given access to the vaccine first such as residents and staff of settings that provide care for seniors, adults 70 years of age and older, health care workers who have direct contact with patient, workers at homeless shelters, correctional facilities and housing for migrant workers and adults in Indigenous communities.

For more information and for a list of ingredients in each vaccine please visit: