Findmyvaccine Podcast

RSV prevention now comes with options. Great news—until you have to decide who gets what, when, and how to make sure it actually happens. 🦠💉

In Part 2 of our conversation, infectious disease specialist Dr. Zain Chagla returns to the FindMyVaccine Podcast to take RSV prevention from the guideline page to the front lines.

First up: timing really is everything. A baby born during RSV season may be best protected before leaving hospital. A baby born in July? Not so fast. Dr. Chagla explains why the goal isn’t simply to immunize at the earliest opportunity—it’s to line up the protection window with the infant’s period of greatest RSV exposure. Think less “ASAP” and more “right place, right season.”

Then comes the big practical question: maternal vaccination or infant monoclonal antibody?

With multiple monoclonal antibody options now in the toolkit, we also ask: how do you actually choose one?

And because guidelines always sound easier until an actual patient walks in, we put Zain through a special rapid-fire RSV rounds. ⚡

Four babies. Four different scenarios. No multiple-choice answers.

Dr. Chagla offers a practical way to explain risk without frightening parents or overselling protection.

Finally, we finish with a Monday-morning checklist for clinicians. Because ultimately, the best RSV strategy isn’t necessarily the fanciest one.

By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:

#FindMyVaccine ️ #RSV #RSVPrevention  #MonoclonalAntibodies #MaternalVaccination #PassiveImmunization #Pediatrics #InfectiousDiseases  #NACI #PublicHealth #ClinicalPractice #VaccineEducation #NewbornHealth #CanadianHealthcare

SUPPORTED BY AN IME GRANT FROM MERCK.

HAMILTON, ON 

Dr.Zain  Chagla, MD MSc MD, FRCPC  is an associate professor at McMaster University, co-medical director of infection control at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and a consultant in infection control at Woodstock General Hospital. Dr. Chagla is also a teacher at McMaster University where he won a clinician teaching award in internal medicine and a young investigator grant for his work in supporting undergraduate medical education at the University of Namibia. 

Dr. Chagla also has a Master of Science in infectious diseases and a diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. 

As an infectious disease specialist, Dr.Zain Chagla has given media interviews on the COVID-19 pandemic and published several op-eds on testing, disease elimination, and public health interventions. He  has contributed to local, provincial, and federal policy planning, and to several clinical trials on COVID-19 therapies. He has published works on COVID-19 research, epidemiology, testing, and infection control. He is involved with a  prospective cohort study looking at respiratory physiology and radiologic features of patients post covid with persistent symptoms over time, including those with long covid and those who were critically ill.

RSV prevention has entered its “more options, more questions” era. 👶🦠

In Part 1, infectious disease specialist Dr. Zain Chagla returns to the FindMyVaccine Podcast to help sort through what Canadian clinicians actually need to know about protecting infants from RSV.

First up: who is really at risk? Spoiler—the answer is not just premature or medically fragile babies. Dr. Chagla explains why otherwise healthy, full-term infants can still end up hospitalized with RSV, why those first few months of life matter so much, and how to communicate that risk to families without turning counselling into a horror movie.

We then tackle the updated NACI guidance and the increasingly important choice between maternal vaccination and long-acting monoclonal antibodies. Who should receive what? When does maternal vaccination leave an infant needing additional protection? And which higher-risk babies deserve a particularly proactive plan?

Then comes the immunology—minus the painful lecture.

Dr. Chagla explains why monoclonal antibodies are not vaccines, how passive immunization essentially gives infants ready-made RSV-fighting antibodies, and why newer long-acting options have changed the game from repeated injections to protection that can potentially cover much of an RSV season.

And because percentages alone rarely tell the whole story, we dig into the evidence: pivotal trials, hospitalization outcomes, absolute risk reduction, high-risk infant data, and why comparing one RSV monoclonal antibody trial directly with another can get scientifically… messy.

Bottom line: RSV prevention is no longer simply about knowing that options exist. It is about knowing which option, for which infant, at which time.

Class is officially in session. 🎙️

By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:

#FindMyVaccine  #RSV #RSVPrevention #InfantHealth #MonoclonalAntibodies #MaternalVaccination #PassiveImmunization #NACI #Pediatrics #InfectiousDiseases  #PublicHealth #CanadianHealthcare

Supported by an IME Grant from Merck

Dr.Zain  Chagla, MD MSc MD, FRCPC  is an associate professor at McMaster University, co-medical director of infection control at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and a consultant in infection control at Woodstock General Hospital. Dr. Chagla is also a teacher at McMaster University where he won a clinician teaching award in internal medicine and a young investigator grant for his work in supporting undergraduate medical education at the University of Namibia. 

Dr. Chagla also has a Master of Science in infectious diseases and a diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. 

As an infectious disease specialist, Dr.Zain Chagla has given media interviews on the COVID-19 pandemic and published several op-eds on testing, disease elimination, and public health interventions. He  has contributed to local, provincial, and federal policy planning, and to several clinical trials on COVID-19 therapies. He has published works on COVID-19 research, epidemiology, testing, and infection control. He is involved with a  prospective cohort study looking at respiratory physiology and radiologic features of patients post covid with persistent symptoms over time, including those with long covid and those who were critically ill.

☎  What happens when you put BC’s biggest healthcare pain points on the table—and agree that “we’ve always done it this way” isn’t a strategy?

🗨️  In this special episode, BC Premier David Eby, joins us for a sit down candid, practical conversation about the realities of modernizing healthcare in British Columbia—starting with the unglamorous but high-impact stuff: cutting administrative duplication across health authorities, centralizing procurement and shared services, and creating clearer accountability so problems get fixed faster.

 🎙️We explore what frontline clinicians want: a tighter feedback loop where ideas from pharmacists, nurses, physicians, and allied health don’t disappear into a “suggestion box” black hole and unpack the real promise—and real limits—of AI integration into day to day healthcare across BC: where it’s already helping, and what it takes to scale innovation safely with privacy protections.

 🎙️BC Cancer—and the growing operational pressure of rising diagnoses, delayed access, and complex patient journeys. Premier Eby shares what’s underway and tackles a question that may be on the minds of HCPs and caregivers: do we need to revisit BC’s 10-year cancer plan to match today’s system realities and  explore practical system fixes like patient navigators om the BC Cancer care pathway.

 🎙️You’ll also hear a frank discussion on expanding pharmacy-delivered care, the pressures and possibilities of minor ailments and contraceptive services, and how new reimbursement models may unlock pharmacist impact beyond the walls of a community pharmacy.

 🎙️This episode arguably tackles some of the toughest files facing the Ministry of Health: rare-disease drug reimbursement decisions, transparency and modernization in PharmaCare, balancing urgent access with fair pricing, and what meaningful accountability looks like when care delivery goes wrong.We also unpack regulation and oversight through the Health Professions Act: is it enough to protect the public and drive system-level learning, or do we need additional tools in the middle ground between individual college complaints and full-blown litigation?

▶️If you’re a frontline clinician, health leader, or policy-watcher who wants less theatre and more solutions—this one’s for you.

💡💡 In this episode, we look at:

In collaboration with the Pharmacy Leaders of Tomorrow.  

VODCAST AVAILABLE HERE; https://www.myvaccinepodcast.com/vodcast

Reach us at:  [email protected] or [email protected]

Our hearts are with everyone affected—along with their families, friends, and the Tumbler Ridge, B.C. community—coping  with an unimaginable loss during this heartbreaking time. 

David Eby is a determined problem-solver who has spent a lifetime taking on powerful interests to get things done for people.

As Premier of B.C., David is taking action on the biggest challenges facing British Columbians. He’s standing up to wealthy speculators and investors to deliver more homes middle-class people can afford. He’s working to ease the pressure of everyday costs, from reducing car insurance and childcare bills to making prescription birth control free. And he’s strengthening health care by building hospitals and hiring more family doctors.

Under David’s leadership, B.C. is an economic leader in Canada—creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs to deliver the lowest unemployment rate and some of the fastest growing wages in the country.

Alongside John Horgan, David got the influence of big money out of B.C.’s elections and cracked down on money laundering in casinos and real estate. He took on opioid manufacturers and delivered a first-of-its-kind settlement to hold corporations accountable for the overdose crisis. He stood up to the trial lawyers and removed legal costs from ICBC process to reduce car insurance rates by an average of $500 a year for drivers.  He even went after organized crime—closing down Hells Angels clubhouses and targeting the proceeds of crime to make our communities safer.

Before being elected as the MLA for Vancouver-Point Grey, David was an award-winning lawyer and legal scholar. He started his career on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, defending the homes of low-income people from big developers and slum lords. His work on human rights and democratic freedoms has been recognized by the United Nations Association in Canada and the B.C. Human Rights Coalition.

David was an adjunct professor of law at the University of British Columbia, president of the HIV-AIDS Legal Network, and served on the Vancouver Foundation’s Health and Social Development Committee. From 2009 to 2013, David ran the B.C. Civil Liberties Association as executive director.

David was raised in a suburban middle-class home. The son of a schoolteacher and a lawyer, he remains grounded in the values he grew up with – commitment to family, community, and helping the less fortunate. He is now a proud husband and father with three children of his own, Ezra, Iva, and baby Gwen. He loves playing with his kids, practising yoga and hanging out with his wife Cailey, a family doctor in Vancouver.

As B.C.’s 37th premier, David is working hard to build a better, stronger future for everyone. Because he believes his kids and all British Columbians deserve the same opportunities to build a good life. 

#BCPolitics #BCHealth #Healthcare #CanadianHealthcare #HealthPolicy #HealthSystemReform #PrimaryCare #PatientSafety #QualityOfCare #PatientExperience #Accountability #PatientQualityCareReviewBoard #HealthProfessionsAct #Regulation #FrontlineHealthcare #Doctors #Nurses #Pharmacists #PharmacyPractice #ScopeOfPractice #MinorAilments #ContraceptionCare #WaitTimes #HealthEquity #DigitalHealth #AIinHealthcare #Innovation #CancerCare #BCCancer #Oncology #CancerPlan #PatientNavigation

🍁Policing, Policy & Public Health: A Candid Conversation with Chief Adam Palmer

We sit down with Adam Palmer, outgoing Chief of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) and newly appointed RCMP Assistant Commissioner, for a frank, highly practical look at where law enforcement, social policy, mental health, and substance use collide—what’s working, what isn’t, and how health + public safety might be able to row in the same direction.

Audience. a clinician, policymaker, or community leader 

• Decriminalization—lessons learned: why BC police initially supported a health-first path, what didn't work (public order + weak care pathways), and what guardrails are needed for real-world success.
• Integrated care pathways: inside Vancouver’s police–nurse partnerships (Car 87/88, Assertive Outreach, psych nurses in the command centre), with cohorts showing impact on police calls and ED visits.
• Targeting harm, not illness: how “Task Force Barrage” a city-aligned surge focused on violent offenders, traffickers, criminal networks alongside city sanitation and bylaw action-while reaffirming you can’t arrest your way out of social problems.
• Policy priorities for federal leaders:  bail reform for chronic violent offenders and scaling compassionate/secure care capacity for the small, high-risk subset chronically dangerous to themselves or others.
• AI readiness for health + public safety:  patient safety implications, and practical risk controls.
• How HCPs can help today: shared data pathways, and clinic-to-street feedback loops that improve triage and outcomes.

Chief Palmer argues for:

• Stronger three-level government alignment
• Thoughtful bail reform for chronic violent offenders
• Scaled “compassionate mandatory / secure care” capacity for the small but high-risk subset that may be dangerous to themselves/others
• Continued integration with healthcare as AI risks and city growth accelerate.

Guest Note: Adam Palmer served as VPD Chief (2015–2025) and has just announced his new role as Assistant Commissioner with the RCMP, attached to National HQ (Ottawa) while remaining based in BC.

ABOUT CHIEF CONSTABLE ADAM PALMER

CHIEF CONSTABLE ADAM PALMER took command as the 31st Chief Constable of the Vancouver Police Department on May 6th, 2015. Chief Palmer was born and raised in the Vancouver area.

Prior to joining the Vancouver Police, he studied Business Administration at Simon Fraser University and worked as a correctional officer. Chief Palmer began his career with the VPD in 1987 and since that time has worked in a variety of operational, investigative and administrative areas. He previously managed a long-term review of policing operations in Vancouver that resulted in improved efficiencies, the optimization of existing resources and significant increases in sworn and civilian police staffing. He was a Venue Commander during the 2010 Winter Olympics where he oversaw the security of figure skating and speed skating events.

Chief Palmer was President of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) from 2018-2020 and served on the CACP Board of Directors as Past President until August 2022. He served on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) from 2018 to 2020. In January 2019, Chief Palmer was elected to and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Major Cities Chief Association (MCCA), which represents the largest police departments in the United States and Canada. Chief Palmer also serves as Chair of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) Board of Directors, is a member of the National Executive Committee for the Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada (CISC), the Metro Vancouver Transit Police Board of Directors and the Criminology Advisory Committee for Kwantlen Polytechnic University. He is also a former Board member of the Canadian Police Knowledge Network (CPKN). In 2023, Chief Palmer became a Board Member for the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), a police research and policy organization.

In 2009, Chief Palmer was invested as a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces and in 2017 was promoted to the rank of Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. In 2020, in recognition of the national and international scope of his service and leadership, the Governor General of Canada advanced Chief Palmer to the highest rank within the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, the rank of Commander.

In 2021, Chief Palmer received the Major Cities Chiefs Association Leadership Award, the first Canadian police officer to receive this honour. In 2022, he received the CACP’s Recognition Award for developing a national mentorship program for police executive leaders. As Past President of the CACP, Chief Palmer was chosen to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2024. He is the recipient of nine Vancouver Police Department Commendations and is a former VPD Police Officer of the Year.

🍁Policing, Policy & Public Health: A Candid Conversation with Chief Adam Palmer

We sit down with Adam Palmer, outgoing Chief of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) and newly appointed RCMP Assistant Commissioner, for a frank, highly practical look at where law enforcement, social policy, mental health, and substance use collide—what’s working, what isn’t, and how health + public safety might be able to row in the same direction.

Audience. a clinician, policymaker, or community leader 

• Decriminalization—lessons learned: why BC police initially supported a health-first path, what didn't work (public order + weak care pathways), and what guardrails are needed for real-world success.
• Integrated care pathways: inside Vancouver’s police–nurse partnerships (Car 87/88, Assertive Outreach, psych nurses in the command centre), with cohorts showing impact on police calls and ED visits.
• Targeting harm, not illness: how “Task Force Barrage” a city-aligned surge focused on violent offenders, traffickers, criminal networks alongside city sanitation and bylaw action-while reaffirming you can’t arrest your way out of social problems.
• Policy priorities for federal leaders:  bail reform for chronic violent offenders and scaling compassionate/secure care capacity for the small, high-risk subset chronically dangerous to themselves or others.
• AI readiness for health + public safety:  patient safety implications, and practical risk controls.
• How HCPs can help today: shared data pathways, and clinic-to-street feedback loops that improve triage and outcomes.

Chief Palmer argues for:

• Stronger three-level government alignment
• Thoughtful bail reform for chronic violent offenders
• Scaled “compassionate mandatory / secure care” capacity for the small but high-risk subset that may be dangerous to themselves/others
• Continued integration with healthcare as AI risks and city growth accelerate.

Guest Note: Adam Palmer served as VPD Chief (2015–2025) and has just announced his new role as Assistant Commissioner with the RCMP, attached to National HQ (Ottawa) while remaining based in BC.

ABOUT CHIEF CONSTABLE ADAM PALMER

CHIEF CONSTABLE ADAM PALMER took command as the 31st Chief Constable of the Vancouver Police Department on May 6th, 2015. Chief Palmer was born and raised in the Vancouver area.

Prior to joining the Vancouver Police, he studied Business Administration at Simon Fraser University and worked as a correctional officer. Chief Palmer began his career with the VPD in 1987 and since that time has worked in a variety of operational, investigative and administrative areas. He previously managed a long-term review of policing operations in Vancouver that resulted in improved efficiencies, the optimization of existing resources and significant increases in sworn and civilian police staffing. He was a Venue Commander during the 2010 Winter Olympics where he oversaw the security of figure skating and speed skating events.

Chief Palmer was President of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) from 2018-2020 and served on the CACP Board of Directors as Past President until August 2022. He served on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) from 2018 to 2020. In January 2019, Chief Palmer was elected to and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Major Cities Chief Association (MCCA), which represents the largest police departments in the United States and Canada. Chief Palmer also serves as Chair of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) Board of Directors, is a member of the National Executive Committee for the Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada (CISC), the Metro Vancouver Transit Police Board of Directors and the Criminology Advisory Committee for Kwantlen Polytechnic University. He is also a former Board member of the Canadian Police Knowledge Network (CPKN). In 2023, Chief Palmer became a Board Member for the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), a police research and policy organization.

In 2009, Chief Palmer was invested as a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces and in 2017 was promoted to the rank of Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. In 2020, in recognition of the national and international scope of his service and leadership, the Governor General of Canada advanced Chief Palmer to the highest rank within the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, the rank of Commander.

In 2021, Chief Palmer received the Major Cities Chiefs Association Leadership Award, the first Canadian police officer to receive this honour. In 2022, he received the CACP’s Recognition Award for developing a national mentorship program for police executive leaders. As Past President of the CACP, Chief Palmer was chosen to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2024. He is the recipient of nine Vancouver Police Department Commendations and is a former VPD Police Officer of the Year.

🎙️ CIC 2024: NACI, Real World Evidence and  Pharmacoeconomic Modeling with Dr. Jesse Papenburg 🎙️

We sit down with dynamic public health leader and clinician scientist Dr. Jesse Papenburg—a member of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and the Quebec Immunization Committee, where he leads the influenza and RSV working groups, respectively,  and the voice behind some of the latest vaccine recommendations 💉.

We unpack the science behind high-dose, adjuvanted, and recombinant influenza vaccines 🧬🩺, specifically tailored for adults 65+. Discover how these specialized vaccines offer enhanced protection by boosting immune responses where it counts the most 🚀💪.

Dr. Jesse Papenburg also sheds light on the groundbreaking RSV vaccines designed to shield older adults from severe respiratory illnesses 🤧🛡️

• With behind the scenes insights into how cost-effectiveness, real-world efficacy, and economic modeling factor behind NACI's recommendations 📊💡, this episode delivers both the technical deep dive and the human touch that brings public health to life ❤️.

And for a refreshing twist, learn about Jesse Papenburg's off-duty passion 😎🥏.

Learning Objectives:

1. Decipher the Vaccine Jargon:
   Understand why high-dose, adjuvanted, and recombinant influenza vaccines are revolutionizing protection for adults 65+ and 75+ 🕵️‍♂️💉.
2. RSV Revealed:
   Gain insight into the new RSV vaccines for seniors, how they reduce the risk of severe respiratory infections, and why they're becoming a critical tool in our public health arsenal 🛡️📊.
3. Risk Factors & Real Talk:
   Explore how age, comorbidities, and living environments like long-term care facilities amplify risks—and why personalized vaccine strategies are essential in today’s healthcare landscape 🏥🔍.
4. Tech Talk + Public Health:
   Delve into the emerging role of AI and predictive modeling in shaping future vaccination policies, offering a fresh perspective on how data-driven insights are changing the game 🤖🚀
5. NACI's Art of Decision Making:
    Behind the scenes insights into how cost-effectiveness, real-world efficacy, and economic modeling factor behind NACI's recommendations 📊💡

Whether you're a healthcare provider seeking the latest evidence-based updates or a public health policy buff, this episode promises a perfect blend of scientific rigor, practical insights, and a dash of fun! 🎧✨

Dr. Jesse Papenburg practices Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology at the Montreal Children’s Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre.

After his specialty training, Dr. Papenburg completed a research fellowship on the molecular virology of RNA respiratory viruses at Laval University and an MSc in epidemiology at McGill. As a clinician scientist, he studies the epidemiology of viral respiratory infections. Dr. Papenburg is a member of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and the Quebec Immunization Committee where he leads the influenza and RSV working groups, respectively.
 

🍞🥖💉Ever heard of a sourdough geek who also happens to be a rockstar vaccine expert? Join host 🤓 Dr. Carolyn Quash on the Find My Vaccine Podcast as she kneads out the details with immunization guru 

🏅 Dr. Caroline Quach—fresh from Quebec 🍁 and fresh out of flour! From sprinkling dough across her kitchen (sorry, husband!) to sprinkling wisdom on immunocompromised patient care 🏥🛡, Dr. Quach dishes on how precision vaccinology 💡, AI-driven modeling 🤖, and big-data insights 📊 are stirring up a brand-new recipe for public health guidance. Get ready to rise to the occasion—and maybe rise some bread on the side! 🍞🔥

Learning Objectives 🎯

1. Sourdough & Science 🥖🔬: Understand how baking bread (yes, really!) parallels the trial-and-error approach in developing vaccination recommendations.
2. Immunocompromised Insights 💊🤝: Learn the biggest challenges (and breakthroughs) in vaccinating special patient populations—especially those under biologics or CAR T-cell therapies.
3. Modeling & More 🤖🔎: Discover how in silico trials, predictive modeling, and AI might shape tomorrow’s vaccination schedules.
4. Policy in Action 🏛⚖️: Grasp the role of NACI in translating groundbreaking research into real-world immunization guidance.

Don’t miss this chance ⏰ to raise your knowledge, feed your curiosity, and find the perfect recipe for innovative vaccine strategies! Tune in now, and let’s get kneading! 🥖🎙️💉

Dr. Caroline Quach is a Professor in the Departments of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases & Immunology and of Pediatrics at University of Montreal. She is an adjunct Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health at McGill University and a scientific collaborator at the School of Public Health at Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Brussels. She is the physician in charge of Infection Prevention and control at CHU Sainte-Justine where she also works as a pediatric infectious diseases specialist and medical microbiologist. Dr. Quach is a clinician-scientist, supported by the Fonds de Recherche Québec – Santé (FRQS, chercheure boursière de mérite) and was recently awarded the Canada Research Chair, Tier 1 in Infection Prevention and Control. Her research interests are in Infection Prevention: both healthcare-associated and vaccine-preventable diseases.

Dr. Quach is the former Chair of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI )from the Public Health Agency of Canada. She is a former president from the Association for Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (AMMI) Canada (2014-2016). She was named Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. Dr. Quach was selected as one of the 2019 most Powerful Women in Canada (2019 Top 100 Award Winner in the Manulife Science and Technology category).
 

🎙️FindMyVaccine is back with infectious diseases physician, Dr. Zain Chagla, who joins us from Toronto in studio.

As we head into Fall 2024, it's not just the leaves changing-we cover the latest updates on COVID-19, new variants, new boosters, and new messaging we head into respiratory season. 🦠

In this episode, we cut through the noise and dive into what you need to know.

❓ Why is this surge happening again? We'll look at the data from this past summer's outbreaks and discuss why it's crucial to stay on top of this evolving situation.

🛡️ Booster blues? Vaccine uptake is still low among at-risk populations, and there's a new booster in town. But how do you communicate that effectively to patients without sounding like a broken record—or worse, adding to the confusion?

💡Navigating patient conversations around booster recommendations 🛑 and why the message has shifted. Get practical tips for identifying high-risk patients and translating NACI recommendations into action. It's not just about age; it's about timing, awareness, and making sure your patients understand why the next dose matters.

📅 Plus, we discuss how to prioritize COVID vs. flu vaccines. 

🎧 Tune in for the latest on COVID, and more, with expert insights and a touch of humor.

• COVID Surge Alert: Hospitalizations and test positivity are up again 🦠📈
• Vaccine Timing: Why it’s crucial to get your COVID shot now, with flu and RSV lurking around the corner. 🎯💉
• Cross-Neutralization Explained: How the new COVID variants differ and why updated vaccines still provide protection. 🧬🛡️
• COVID Therapeutics: Paxlovid effectiveness in the context of new variants🏃‍♂️📅
• Patient Conversations: Strategies for helping patients understand their risks and prioritize getting vaccinated. 🗣️👩‍⚕️

Dr.Zain  Chagla, MD MSc MD, FRCPC  is an associate professor at McMaster University, co-medical director of infection control at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and a consultant in infection control at Woodstock General Hospital. Dr. Chagla is also a teacher at McMaster University where he won a clinician teaching award in internal medicine and a young investigator grant for his work in supporting undergraduate medical education at the University of Namibia. 

Dr. Chagla also has a Master of Science in infectious diseases and a diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. 

As an infectious disease specialist, Dr.Zain Chagla has given media interviews on the COVID-19 pandemic and published several op-eds on testing, disease elimination, and public health interventions. He  has contributed to local, provincial, and federal policy planning, and to several clinical trials on COVID-19 therapies. He has published works on COVID-19 research, epidemiology, testing, and infection control. He is involved with a  prospective cohort study looking at respiratory physiology and radiologic features of patients post covid with persistent symptoms over time, including those with long covid and those who were critically ill.

▶️🎧🎙️PART 2! Tools to use on the frontline and tips to engage your patients in 60 seconds or less. We untangle the complex web of the COVID-19 pandemic and plot a course for the journey ahead with 𝐃𝐫.Alan Kaplan and Dr.Marla Shapiro who break down all  you need to know.

✔️✔️We take an in-depth look at the unfolding chapter of the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the global health emergency phase over, yet COVID-19 remains a persistent adversary. . Seems like a contradiction, right? We're dissecting this communique and explore how to break it down on the frontlines. We ask, where are we headed now?

✔️✔️We delve into the questions on everyone's mind: Do our current vaccines shield us against the elusive XBB.1.16 variant? What does the end of the 'emergency phase' actually mean for us on a day-to-day basis? And with the virus still lurking in our midst, how do we navigate this new landscape of coexistence?

✔️✔️We examine the WHO's Technical Advisory Group (TAG) proposal to retire the original COVID-19 strain from future vaccines and explore what this could mean for the future of public vaccination strategies. 

✔️✔️We're also talking the latest research on hybrid immunity and how to translate this for your patients in a meaningful way. What happens when natural infection immunity meets vaccine-induced immunity? Does this 'hybrid immunity' offer us an extra layer of protection?

✔️✔️Keeping the conversation light, the information insightful, and the health advice actionable to navigate the road ahead. 

Let’s dive in! 

Dr.Alan Kaplan 

Dr.Alan Kaplan, MD,  CCFP(EM), CPC(HC) is a  family Physician practicing in York Region, Ontario, Canada.

Regional Primary Care Lead, Central Regional Cancer Program

Chairperson of the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada

Alan is a practicing family physician and the Medical director of LHIN Pulmonary Rehabilitation clinics in Ontario, Canada. Alan chairs the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada (www.fpagc.com) and is also an Honorary Professor of Primary Care Respiratory Medicine of the Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute, Singapore.

Alan’s other positions include Co-Chair of the Health Quality Ontario COPD Community Management standards committee, Member of the Health Quality Ontario Asthma community management standards committee, Vice President Respiratory Effectiveness Group and Senate member of the International Primary Care Respiratory Group

Alan is also a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Toronto in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, while being a Member of the Physician Advisory Panel of the Medical Post, the Medical Advisory Committee of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canada and a Member of Section of Allergy and Respiratory Therapeutics, Health Canada. Alan has authored 136 Peer Reviewed Articles and 104 Conference Abstracts.

Dr. Marla Shapiro C.M., CCFP, MHSc, FRCPC, FCFP, NCMP

Professor, DFCM, University of Toronto

Dr. Shapiro completed medical school at McGill University and trained at the University of Toronto for her Masters of Health Science. She concluded her specialty training in Community Medicine, receiving her Fellowship in Preventive Medicine and Public Health from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She also holds a Fellowship in Family Medicine and is currently a Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. She is a credentialed expert in Menopause from the North American Menopause Society.

Dr. Shapiro is seen on CTV NewsChannel as the medical expert. She is the author of the bestselling book, Life in the Balance: My Journey with Breast Cancer.

Dr. Shapiro is a member of several advisory boards, having been a member of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, Research Canada and the Board of Trustees of the North American Menopause Society. She was the President of the North American Menopause Society in 2017 and the Scientific Chair of the 25th anniversary of NAMS.

Currently she sits on the Board of the Terry Fox Research Institute and the Board of Trustees of the International Menopause Society. She received an Award of Excellence from the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and was awarded the Excellence in Creative Professional Activity by the University of Toronto. Dr. Shapiro was also chosen in the top 10 of the 50 most powerful doctors in Canada by the Medical Post. In 2015 Dr. Shapiro was named a Member of the Order of Canada for her contributions as a family physician and trusted source of health information. One of this country’s highest civilian honours, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to the nation.
 

Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron XBB.1.16 variant

▶️🎧🎙️Today we untangle the complex web of the COVID-19 pandemic and plot a course for the journey ahead with 𝐃𝐫.Alan Kaplan and Dr.Marla Shapiro who break down all  you need to know.

✔️✔️We take an in-depth look at the unfolding chapter of the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the global health emergency phase over, yet COVID-19 remains a persistent adversary. . Seems like a contradiction, right? We're dissecting this communique and explore how to break it down on the frontlines. We ask, where are we headed now?

✔️✔️We delve into the questions on everyone's mind: Do our current vaccines shield us against the elusive XBB.1.16 variant? What does the end of the 'emergency phase' actually mean for us on a day-to-day basis? And with the virus still lurking in our midst, how do we navigate this new landscape of coexistence?

✔️✔️We examine the WHO's Technical Advisory Group (TAG) proposal to retire the original COVID-19 strain from future vaccines and explore what this could mean for the future of public vaccination strategies. 

✔️✔️We're also talking the latest research on hybrid immunity and how to translate this for your patients in a meaningful way. What happens when natural infection immunity meets vaccine-induced immunity? Does this 'hybrid immunity' offer us an extra layer of protection?

✔️✔️Keeping the conversation light, the information insightful, and the health advice actionable to navigate the road ahead. 

Let’s dive in! 

Dr.Alan Kaplan 

Dr.Alan Kaplan, MD,  CCFP(EM), CPC(HC) is a  family Physician practicing in York Region, Ontario, Canada.

Regional Primary Care Lead, Central Regional Cancer Program

Chairperson of the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada

Alan is a practicing family physician and the Medical director of LHIN Pulmonary Rehabilitation clinics in Ontario, Canada. Alan chairs the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada (www.fpagc.com) and is also an Honorary Professor of Primary Care Respiratory Medicine of the Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute, Singapore.

Alan’s other positions include Co-Chair of the Health Quality Ontario COPD Community Management standards committee, Member of the Health Quality Ontario Asthma community management standards committee, Vice President Respiratory Effectiveness Group and Senate member of the International Primary Care Respiratory Group

Alan is also a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Toronto in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, while being a Member of the Physician Advisory Panel of the Medical Post, the Medical Advisory Committee of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canada and a Member of Section of Allergy and Respiratory Therapeutics, Health Canada. Alan has authored 136 Peer Reviewed Articles and 104 Conference Abstracts.

Dr. Marla Shapiro C.M., CCFP, MHSc, FRCPC, FCFP, NCMP

Professor, DFCM, University of Toronto

Dr. Shapiro completed medical school at McGill University and trained at the University of Toronto for her Masters of Health Science. She concluded her specialty training in Community Medicine, receiving her Fellowship in Preventive Medicine and Public Health from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She also holds a Fellowship in Family Medicine and is currently a Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. She is a credentialed expert in Menopause from the North American Menopause Society.

Dr. Shapiro is seen on CTV NewsChannel as the medical expert. She is the author of the bestselling book, Life in the Balance: My Journey with Breast Cancer.

Dr. Shapiro is a member of several advisory boards, having been a member of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, Research Canada and the Board of Trustees of the North American Menopause Society. She was the President of the North American Menopause Society in 2017 and the Scientific Chair of the 25th anniversary of NAMS.

Currently she sits on the Board of the Terry Fox Research Institute and the Board of Trustees of the International Menopause Society. She received an Award of Excellence from the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and was awarded the Excellence in Creative Professional Activity by the University of Toronto. Dr. Shapiro was also chosen in the top 10 of the 50 most powerful doctors in Canada by the Medical Post. In 2015 Dr. Shapiro was named a Member of the Order of Canada for her contributions as a family physician and trusted source of health information. One of this country’s highest civilian honours, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to the nation.