Joe Lofaro
CTV News Montreal Digital Reporter
@giuseppelo
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MONTREAL –
People who were vaccinated against COVID-19 with Pfizer as their first shot and don’t want to wait for additional doses to arrive to move forward their second vaccination appointment can choose Moderna instead, Quebec health officials say.
The Provincial Immunization Committee (CIQ) advises that Pfizer recipients can get their second vaccination with Moderna as both vaccines are mRNA vaccines and can be mixed.
With Pfizer deliveries delayed, the choice of Moderna is welcome news for those looking to move the date of their second dose forward as an excess of Moderna doses is on the way.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that a new shipment of 2.6 million cans is expected between June 28th and July 5th.
This means that starting tomorrow, people can go to a walk-in clinic and receive a Moderna syringe regardless of what type of vaccine they received first, according to a health ministry press release.
However, patients still have to wait at least eight weeks between their first and second dose, regardless of which vaccine they are receiving.
“At the same time, work is being carried out on the appointment-making platform to enable the vaccine to be changed if the appointment is postponed. The public will be informed when this feature is online and accessible, ”the statement said.
The press release also states that « if the mRNA vaccine used in the first dose is not readily available, a person may be given a different mRNA vaccine ».
According to the Department of Health, there is no evidence that mixing vaccine types (e.g. Pfizer and Moderna) leads to more serious side effects. The usual side effects of the vaccines such as headache, fatigue, chills, and arm pain are expected to last for less than three days.
On Tuesday, new daily infections with COVID-19 remained below 100 for the second straight day, with 80 percent of the eligible Quebec population receiving their first dose. Approximately 20 percent of the eligible population have been fully vaccinated with two doses.
A woman arrives at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Montreal on Monday, June 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS / Paul Chiasson
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