Last updated 9 October 2023
Antiviral treatment Paxlovid is available across Canada but is woefully underused. But it’s actually more accessible in Ontario than anywhere else in Canada. Only I feel that hardly anyone knows this. In Ontario, Paxlovid eligibility is quite wide, and includes:
- Anyone 60 or older
- Anyone 18 to 59 at higher risk, including:
- Having a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, obesity (which is about 30% of the population), or a heart condition
- Being pregnant
- Being more than 6 months out from your last Covid vaccine (at the moment, this is something like 96% of the population!) or infection
As well, as of December 2022, pharmacists can prescribe Paxlovid, so it should (in theory) be easier to access. This is important, because you have to take it within the first five days of symptoms beginning or positive test (whichever happens first).
The reasons you might want to take Paxlovid, even if you don’t personally feel you’re at much risk of hospitalization from Covid infection, is that—while this is not guarantee—it can make you feel better, faster! As well, Paxlovid has been found to reduce the risk of developing Long Covid, by about 26%.
(Another good way to try avoid Long Covid when infected: Try taking Metformin.)
The downsides to Paxlovid are the side effects, notably a terrible taste in your mouth (I’ve read a tip that cinnamon-flavor candies are the best antidote), gastrointestinal symptoms (and I don’t have a tip for that one), and possibly greater risk of rebound infection, though that one is lower than once thought, at 5 to 12%. (Also notable that you can get rebound infection without taking Paxlovid).
Now, that’s the theory. I have no idea how well this works in practice. How many pharmacies actually have Paxlovid in stock? Is the drug well-distributed all across Ontario, even in small rural and northern communities? Are pharmacists aware that they can prescribe it? Do they know the criteria?
Don’t know, don’t know, don’t know. But the first step is knowing what you are eligible for and trying to get it if you qualify! This is the official Ontario government page to bookmark and bring with you:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-testing-and-treatment#section-5
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