March 24, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccines and Epilepsy
March 1, 2021
February 24, 2021
Information for our epilepsy community regarding Covid 19 and vaccines from the
January 21, 2021
December 14, 2020
As a subscriber to Health Canada’s MedEffectTM e-Notice, you are being informed of the latest Advisory.
http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2020/74543a-eng.php
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: Health Canada recommendations for people with serious allergies
Two individuals in the U.K. reported severe allergic reactions to Pfizer BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine on December 8, 2020. As vaccine roll-out begins in Canada, Canadians may be wondering about the risks of allergic reactions and if they should receive this vaccine if they have allergies to foods or other medications.
Health Canada has reviewed the available evidence and has concluded that the current Product Monograph and available public health guidance are appropriate, and is not recommending any changes to the product’s use at this time.
Any case of serious or unexpected adverse events in patients receiving vaccines should be reported to your local public health authorities or directly to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/aefi-form-eng.php
This message was automatically generated. If you have comments or questions about the program, please contact us at mhpd_dpsc@hc-sc.gc.ca.
You may change or cancel your subscription at any time by visiting the MedEffect e-Notice Subscription page.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/subscribe-abonnement/index-eng.php
Disclaimer:
Health professional or public advisories are made available on Health Canada’s Web site on an ad hoc basis as a service to health professionals, consumers, and other interested parties. These advisories may be prepared in collaboration with Directorates of Health Canada’s Health Products and Food Branch, which includes pre-market and post-market areas, as well as market authorization holders and other stakeholders.
December 10, 2020
December 9, 2020
We have a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada. This is exciting and very welcome news! Details below:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/vaccine-rollout-plan-phac-1.5833912
November 9, 2020
We will remain cautiously optimistic but this is a great start! Covid vaccine news!
November 1, 2020 Hand Sanitizer Recall
Certain hand sanitizers recalled because they may pose health risks
Health Canada is advising Canadians that the following hand sanitizers are being recalled because they may pose health risks.
| Product | Reason for recall | Recalling Company | NPN or DIN | Lot numbers | Expiry Date | Date Added |
| Daily Shield Hand Sanitizer | Contains unacceptable ingredient, methanol; ethanol content is less than the recommended amount to be effective | 10932540 Canada Inc./ Bio Life Sciences Corp. | 80098979 | All | All | 2020-11-02 |
| Snake Lake Brewing Company – Ethanol Sanitizer 80% | Missing risk statements; product not authorized to contain technical-grade ethanol | Snake Lake Brewing Company, Inc. | 80100225 | 0002 | May 2022 | 2020-11-02 |
Health Canada maintains this list of hand sanitizers that may pose health risks, so that Canadians can easily identify products they may have purchased and take appropriate action. Canadians are encouraged to check it regularly for updates.
October 28, 2020
July 17, 2020
July 16, 2020
Do you have epilepsy? Are you a parent, sibling or care provider for someone with epilepsy? If so, we would like to hear how you have coped since COVID-19 knocked on the door of your country. Are you willing to share your story and allow us to include it onthe IBE website COVID-19 page?
Learn more at the link posted below:
https://mailchi.mp/aaacc2997668/your-covid-story?e=0340d2c8d1
June 9/ 2020
Breaking News: The federal government has announced a one time tax exempt payment for those that receive the Disability Tax Credit Certificate. A one time payment of $600 will be distributed the week of August 10 2020. There is NO NEED to apply. People who are eligible will receive this payment via cheque or direct deposit.
December 23 / 2019
LivaNova SENTIVA VNS Therapy device, model 1000.
RE: a Safety Notice for the LivaNova SENTIVA VNS Therapy device, model 1000.
This message has created a lot of concern within the Canadian epilepsy medical community. We understand the concern regarding this notification from the American Epilepsy Society on the subject of the SENTIVA VNS Therapy devices.
This issue first came to light in August 2019 in the USA. A select number of devices were identified as potentially at risk. All unimplanted devices were removed from circulation, and American centres were alerted to this information.
This safety notification occurred prior to the Health Canada approval of SENTIVA. As such, all products available to Canadian patients are NOT affected by this notification. This safety notice does not apply to those patients implanted in Canada.
Ken Jeong jumps off stage mid-performance to help woman having a seizure: https://bit.ly/2LMgGY7
Epilepsy Newfoundland and Labrador presents a $25,000 research grant to MUN’s Faculty of Medicine: bit.ly/2JRiamI
(R-L) ENL Information Officer Sarah Mercer, ENL Executive Director Gail Dempsey, ENL Vice President Patti Bryant, ENL President Ron Stone, Researcher Dr. Gary Paterno, Researcher Dr. Matthew Parsons.
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