Quebec minister apologizes for 'communication error' regarding AstraZeneca 2nd shots
Quebec's health minister apologized on Thursday after the government appeared to change its advice regarding second doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
A message appeared on the province's website Wednesday saying that people who received a first shot of AstraZeneca should get Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna for their second doses because the vaccine combination is more effective than two shots of the same vaccine.
Christian Dube told reporters Thursday that the message was a "communication error" stemming from a misinterpretation of advice from the province's immunization committee.
"I apologize to the population," he said.
"'Our position on AstraZeneca is clear: it's an excellent vaccine and those who want to get it for a second dose can do so."
As of Thursday at noon, the language on the site had been changed to say that AstraZeneca recipients "could" get a different vaccine for their second dose, rather than "should."
Dube said the choice of whether to opt for a different second dose remains a personal one, based on weighing the slightly higher efficacy of a mixed vaccine regimen with the potential for more severe side-effects.
The minister said he'd personally chosen to receive two doses of AstraZeneca.
Quebec reported 161 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, as well as one further death attributed to the novel coronavirus.
Hospitalizations dropped by 14 patients in hospital to 178, with four fewer patients requiring intensive care for a total for 41.
The province added 99,580 vaccine doses to its tally and more than seven million shots have been administered since the campaign began.
Dube said the government would be forced to readjust its vaccine campaign for July after learning it will receive about 600,000 fewer Pfizer doses than expected.
He said the vaccine appointments already made will be honoured, but there won't be any more spots available in the first half of the month for people hoping to move up the date for their second doses.
"It's been a year and a half that we've been adjusting, so we'll adjust again," Dube said. He said the province still expects to meet its target of vaccinating all willing eligible Quebecers with two doses by the end of August.
Currently, more than 79 per cent of the population 12 and older have received one dose and 14.8 per cent have received both doses.
Dube was speaking alongside Finance Minister Eric Girard on Thursday, as they announced a $13 million investment into a project to boost local production of the active ingredients in medications.
Dube said the Pfizer vaccine delivery delay is just one of many examples of how COVID-19 has exposed the fragility of the medical supply chain and the risk of being too dependent on external suppliers for vital medication.
The project, led by the Universite de Montreal, aims to increase Quebec's ability to produce key medicine ingredients at home as well as to support research into new drugs, which could eventually be produced in partnership with the manufacturing sector.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.