Q&A about Delta variant

Is Delta variant in Canada? The highly contagious variant, which was first discovered in India in late 2020, has spread around the world and now accounts for the majority of cases in Canada and various other countries. The Delta variant is spreading out really quickly.

Can I get a 3rd Covid vaccine in Ontario, Canada? Those people who are most at risk of health complications if they contract COVID-19 are now eligible for a third dose of the vaccine "to provide an extra layer of protection against the delta variant," the Region of Waterloo announced Wednesday.

Will there be a 4th wave of Covid in Ontario? “We're absolutely in the fourth wave,” said Dr. Peter Juni, who is the scientific director of Ontario's COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, in early August.

What percentage of Canadians are fully vaccinated against COVID-19? Canada continues to be a world leader in vaccination rates, with over 80 per cent of eligible people in the country vaccinated with their first dose and approximately 64 per cent fully vaccinated of both doses.

Do Moderna and Pfizer protect against Delta variant? Many studies have shown that Moderna and Pfizer vaccines still protect against Delta, though not as well as against previous variants. Unvaccinated people make up more than 90 percent of confirmed new cases among those that track case data along with vaccination status.

Should I get vaccinated if I have already had Covid-19?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people get vaccinated regardless of whether they've already had COVID-19.

How long will it take to build immunity after getting the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine? Immunity develops over time. It takes about 2 weeks to develop significant protection against COVID-19. For the greatest protection, you will need the second dose. The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine showed an effectiveness of about 62% in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 disease beginning 2 weeks after the second dose.

Can you mix AstraZeneca and Pfizer? In June, Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) changed its vaccine guidelines to condone mixing COVID-19 vaccines, based on emerging research that found mixing AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines was both safe and effective.

What is a breakthrough infection? Most epidemiologists agree that a breakthrough case occurs when a person who has been fully vaccinated becomes infected with the coronavirus. That infection could manifest as anything from asymptomatic, to mild symptoms, to severe symptoms that result in hospitalization or even death.

Is it safe to mix vaccines? Is it safe to mix COVID vaccines? No results from the studies have suggested that mixing leads to severe side effects, but results from the British study suggest that mixing vaccines can lead to an increase in mild or moderate side effects.

Can you get COVID-19 by touching surfaces? COVID-19 can also spread by touching something that has the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands. You can transmit COVID-19 before you start showing symptoms or without ever developing symptoms.

How much does the Canadian government pay for the COVID-19 vaccine? The Government of Canada is committing approximately $220 million to the facility to procure up to 15 million vaccine doses for everyone in Canada.

Which organs are most affected by COVID-19? The lungs are the organs most affected by COVID-19 because the virus accesses host cells via the receptor for the enzyme angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is most abundant on the surface of type II alveolar cells of the lungs.

Can COVID-19 spread through food? Food safety during the COVID-19 pandemic Scientists and food safety authorities around the world are closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19. There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 or its new variants being spread through food or food packaging.

How many doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 has Canada secured for 2022? Canada has secured access to a guaranteed 35 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccines for 2022, with options for up to 30 million more.

How long does it take for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to take effect? It takes about 2 weeks to develop significant protection against COVID-19. For the greatest protection, you will need the second dose. Based on studies in about 30,000 participants, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was 94.1% effective in preventing COVID-19 beginning 2 weeks after the second dose.

How does the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 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.

Can the COVID-19 survive in drinking water? Currently, there is no evidence about the survival of the COVID-19 virus in drinking-water or sewage.

Can you infect others with COVID-19 even if you are not showing symptoms? The virus can be spread to others from someone who’s infected but not showing symptoms. This includes people who: • haven’t yet developed symptoms (pre-symptomatic) • never develop symptoms (asymptomatic)

Is Pfizer effective against Delta variant? Major vaccines such as those made by Pfizer, Moderna Inc. and others have been shown to be largely effective in preventing severe illness and death caused by the Delta variant.

Can I get Covid if fully vaccinated? The reason public health officials are calling for more mask-wearing is that there is clear and mounting evidence that – though rare – breakthrough COVID-19 infections can occur in people who are fully vaccinated. This is particularly true with emerging variants of concern.

Do you need Covid vaccinations to enter Canada? Canada border crossing requirements: Travelers will need to be fully vaccinated. American travelers wanting to visit Canada by land, air or water must complete a COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days before entry.