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
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.