AstraZeneca recipients who want to switch their second dose to an mRNA vaccine facing longer wait times
Back in the spring, many Quebecers were faced with a difficult decision: should they get their AstraZeneca shot, or wait for alternative vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna?
Dan McWilliams and his wife chose to do the former, and received their AstraZeneca shots in April.
“I thought any vaccine — as the government was saying at the time — is better than no vaccine,” said McWilliams.
For their second shot, the couple decided to opt for an mRNA vaccine like Pfizer or Moderna, which many infectious disease specialists say offers a better immune response — even if it comes with the potential for more side effects.
“[An mRNA vaccine] allows your immune system to recognize something from different angles [...] so that you increase your repertoire of antibodies to that protein,” says Dr. Donald Vihn, expert in infectious diseases and immunity at McGill University.
Eight weeks later, McWilliams went to a walk-in clinic and was able to get the Pfizer vaccine. But when his wife went to do the same, McWilliams says she was turned away.
“They said, ‘We are afraid we are going to run out of Pfizer so, therefore, you have to wait for your original appointment day, which is the first of August, six weeks away,’” said McWilliams.
Currently, the official Quebec government website says that those who received AstraZeneca as their first dose and want to switch to a different vaccine for their second “must wait until their initial appointment and request a change of vaccine at the vaccination site.”
Meanwhile, the province announced that Moderna and Pfizer recipients may sign up to receive their second shots earlier than planned — yet those who took AstraZeneca and want to switch are being told to go to the back of the line.
“AstraZeneca people are being treated almost like second-class citizens,” said Mcwilliams. “It’s just not fair.”
Quebec Minister of Health and Social Services Christian Dubé said AstraZeneca recipients who want to switch vaccines have had to wait longer because doses of Moderna and Pfizer are in too short of supply.
He said the province is set to receive more doses of Moderna this week, and that an announcement regarding the status of AstraZeneca recipients will be made shortly.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.