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
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.