February 25, 2021

Each week, we’re sharing a list of 10 great things that happened at our sites. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Send it to communications@unityhealth.to.

1) Unity Health Toronto is Ontario’s site lead for national survey monitoring safety of COVID-19 vaccines

A national survey is tracking whether and how often adverse events occur after COVID-19 vaccination, offering critical insight as immunization campaigns intensify and new vaccines are approved for use in Canada. The study, led by the Canadian National Vaccine Safety (CANVAS) Network, aims to enroll 300,000 participants for each Health Canada-approved vaccine. Our Dr. Matthew Muller, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at St. Michael’s Hospital is the Ontario lead for the CANVAS COVID-19 vaccine project. Read more in the Globe and Mail or on CTV News.

2) We spotlight how Unity Health is collaborating with long-term care and retirement homes

Over the course of the pandemic, teams from Unity Health Toronto have played a role supporting 17 long-term care homes and retirement homes. One of those homes is Copernicus Lodge, a residence in Toronto’s west end that is home to over 200 seniors. Photographer Katie Cooper shows what the partnership looks like in this photo essay.

3) We celebrate Psychology Month at Unity Health Toronto

The Psychology Training Clinic (PTC) is a partnership between Ryerson University and the Academic Family Health Team at St. Michael’s Hospital. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the PTC went online so that students can continue to develop their knowledge, experience, and skill while providing high quality psychological services to patients. Student Alison Carney discusses what she has learned from her psychology practicum at St. Michael’s and what she enjoys the most about her role. Read more.

4) Unity Health Toronto physicians examine viability of rapid COVID-19 testing within a workforce   

Employees at Toronto’s Pearson airport will soon be able to opt in to a COVID-19 rapid testing research program. Unity Health Toronto’s Dr. Prabhat Jha and Dr. Kevin Schwartz and UHN’s Dr. Isaac Bogoch aim to build on the current knowledge on how to safely and effectively implement rapid testing tools in the workforce. Read more.

5) Our Dr. Danyaal Raza explains why COVID-19 vaccine plans should include migrants and undocumented workers

As provinces and territories prepare to conduct mass vaccination campaigns, our Dr. Danyaal Raza, Family Physician at St. Michael’s Hospital, says that a health card should not be required for those looking to get the COVID-19 vaccine. “We need to make sure that this is the case at every single vaccine clinic because we’re hearing now that it’s not, and that’s not acceptable, especially if we’re going to hit that target for herd immunity,” he told CBC. Read more.

6) Our Dr. Holly Knowles speaks with the Canadian Press on the importance of getting the homeless population vaccinated quickly

Variants of COVID-19 have now been found in five Toronto shelters and one homeless encampment. Our Dr. Holly Knowles says it is imperative to get the homeless population immunized fast. “Even to get a portion of that population some immunity, there’s a great chance they’ll have a milder illness or not contract the illness at all,” she told the Canadian Press. Read more.

7) Who should be priority for shots during the second stage of vaccine rollout? Our Dr. Anju Anand weighs in

“We know that if we control COVID in the highest-risk populations, it will help all Canadians in all communities at large,” says our Dr. Anju Anand. She spoke with CBC Early Edition on her thoughts on vaccine prioritization.

8) Our Dr. Larissa Matukas speaks with the Toronto Star on COVID-19 mutations

A recent study suggests the B.1.1.7 COVID variant will likely become dominant in the Greater Toronto Area region before the end of the month. This important research shows that it is vital to have “early detection warning systems in place” for COVID mutations, says our Dr. Larissa Matukas, Head of the Microbiology Division and an Infectious Disease Consultant at St. Michael’s Hospital. Read more in the Toronto Star.

9) Our Dr. Tali Bogler weighs in on a new clinical trial that tests the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant individuals

Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE have started a new study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of their COVID-19 vaccine in healthy pregnant women. Our Dr. Tali Bogler Chair of Family Practice Obstetrics at St. Michael’s Hospital, discusses the trial on CTV News. Watch the segment.

10) Does expanding self-defense laws deter violent crime in the United States? Our Dr. Alexa Yakubovich weighs in

Most states in the United States have expanded civilian rights to use deadly force in self-defense out the home. A recent study by our Dr. Alexa Yakubovich from the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions suggests that in at least some contexts, US stand-your-ground laws are associated with increases in violence and public health and safety risks. Read more in the American Journal of Public Health.