Alberta says Moderna, Pfizer vaccines 'interchangeable' amid shipment delay
Alberta is following the steps of Ontario and calling the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines "interchangeable" in the face of a two-to-three-day delay in the latter product.
The province is set to receive some 280,000 Pfizer doses the week of June 21, but Canada's shipment of 2.4 million shots from Pfizer and BioNTech isn't slated to arrive until mid-week.
Alberta Health Services is encouraging Albertans who want an earlier appointment to switch their vaccine preference to Moderna in the meantime.
"Both Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vaccines and work in the same way. They are now considered to be interchangeable," it said in an announcement Sunday afternoon.
"If you book for Moderna, you will be able to get an earlier appointment thus complete your series."
More detailed information on the AHS website called it typical for people get booked for the same product as their first shot, but not essential. The vaccines work the same, are both about 94 to 95 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19 disease, and have similar side effects, the agency said.
"There is no reason to believe that a second dose with a different mRNA vaccine product would result in additional safety issues or deficiency in protection. Two doses of any of the COVID-19 vaccines available in Alberta is considered a complete, safe and protective vaccine series."
An Edmonton epidemiologist echoed this, noting the products' similar technology, efficacy, and side effect profiles.
"There's no reason to think that mixing and matching them is going to produce either less immune response or more side effects," Dr. Stephanie Smith told CTV News Edmonton.
"So I would say absolutely, it's important to get that second shot as soon as possible. And I would certainly have no concerns about getting a Moderna vaccine if you've initially had a Pfizer."
NATIONAL GUIDANCE
The recommendation is in line with advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, which said on Friday people who received a first dose of an mRNA vaccine should be offered the same for their second dose unless it is unavailable.
"If the same mRNA vaccine is not readily available or unknown, another mRNA vaccine can be considered interchangeable and should be offered to complete the vaccine series."
Ontario announced over the weekend it would use an influx of Moderna supply to "supplement the delayed Pfizer doses."
"Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are authorized for use in Canada and use a similar mRNA technology, so the vaccines are interchangeable and safe to mix," a statement from its healthy ministry read.
Canada expects to receive 5.2 million doses in total this week from the two major vaccine suppliers. Of the 2.8 million doses of Moderna, more than 770,000 will land in Alberta.
Second doses have begun to outpace first doses in the province: On Saturday, more than 45,200 second doses and nearly 6,700 first doses were administered.
According to the latest data, 70.6 per cent of the population aged 12 and older have received at least one dose, while the portion of people fully immunized sits around 28.6 per cent.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Nahreman Issa and Adam Lachacz
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.