COVID-19 Vaccines webinar

On November 4, 2023, we hosted an educational webinar and panel discussion about COVID-19 vaccines moderated by Dr. Dawn Richards, Vice-President with CAPA. The panel included:
- Nadine Lalonde, who lives with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and is - involved as an active patient partner on various research projects and a member of the Arthritis Patient Advisory Board with Arthritis Research Canada
- Inés Colmegna is a rheumatologist, researcher and Associate Professor of Medicine at McGill University
- Dawn Bowdish is a Canada Research Chair in Aging and Immunity, and Professor, McMaster University
There were questions that were unanswered during the webinar - below you will find the answers to these questions which have been provided by the panelists:
Question 1:
We are hearing that some Long Covid sufferers are getting lower leg blood clots, micro clots, sticky blood clots. Is there any scientific evidence that Covid is the cause?
Answer 1:
It's important to know that when you have an infection, your body's endothelial cells can get activated. These special cells form the inner lining of blood vessels, like arteries and veins. They play a role in managing blood flow and blood clotting. When these cells are activated, there may be a tendency for blood clotting. This isn't something only seen in long-term Covid cases; it happens during any active infection.
Question 2:
What is risk of long Covid under the present circumstances?
Answer 2:
The risk of long COVID varies according to a number of factors. The following NIH page summarizes this topic well: covid19.nih.go...
Question 3:
Are people with immune disorders petri dishes for the mutation of the virus?
Answer 3:
Not all people with immune disorders are petri dishes for the mutation of the virus. Mutations are more common when people are not able to clear the virus from their body.
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