The province is advising against reliance on antiviral pills to treat sickness due to COVID-19.
Pfizer has asked U.S. regulators to authorize its experimental pill, with approval expected within weeks.
Dr. Natalie Bridger, clinical chief of infection prevention and control for Eastern Health, admits results have been promising for people who are unvaccinated, but she says that’s because studies weren’t able to find enough vaccinated people who got sick enough, adding that should underscore how well the vaccines work.
Health Minister John Haggie says preventative treatment should be a no-brainer.
He says the prevention that’s saved the most lives in recent decades has been vaccinations, noting it’s better to avoid getting sick than having to rely on treatment after the fact.