It’s Moderna for 30+, but no info on confirmed Pfizer bookings

Durham resident individuals 30+ will receive Moderna (Spikevax) Covid-19 vaccine at area community immunization clinics until further notice, according to Durham Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle.

“The Health Department will now be administering Moderna Covid-19 vaccine for first, second and third doses to individuals 30-plus until additional supply of Pfizer vaccine is secured,” said Dr. Kyle.

He, however, did not provide a date by when fresh supplies of Pfizer vaccine will be arrive and be available for residents in Durham.

It is reported that some 30+ residents have a Pfizer vaccine booster appointment in the coming week. There was no clarification from Durham Health if the confirmed third dose Pfizer vaccination will proceed or Moderna will be offered instead. At least one resident with a confirmed third dose Pfizer vaccine has not received any communication so far from the vaccine provider on whether the appointment is on, cancelled or changed for Moderna.

On December 21, the province advised the Health Department of a limited supply of Pfizer BioNTech (Comirnaty) vaccine across Canada. Pfizer is recommended for individuals 12 to 17-years old for first and second doses, and for individuals 18 to 29-years old for first, second and third doses. This recommendation is due to lower reported rates of myocarditis/pericarditis following vaccination with Pfizer as compared to Moderna for these age groups. To ensure there is sufficient supply of Pfizer for individuals 12 to 29-years old, the Health Department is preserving its current supply of Pfizer vaccine for this population. Individuals 18 to 29-years old may receive Moderna vaccine upon request, if they provide informed consent. There continues to be enough supply of the paediatric Pfizer vaccine for children five to 11-years old, explained Dr. Kyle.

Vaccine Mix and Omicron

 Area residents are encouraged to get their third dose as an important protection measure against the rapidly spreading Omicron variant. Either Moderna or Pfizer vaccine may be administered as a third dose regardless of which vaccine individuals received for their first and second doses. Mixing Covid-19 vaccines is safe, effective and enables residents to benefit from the protection of a booster dose. Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines provide strong protection against Covid-19 and its variants, and residents are advised to get the vaccine that is available to them first, said Dr. Kyle.

Durham Region residents can receive their third dose at participating pharmacies, health care providers administering Covid-19 vaccine and at Durham Region community immunization clinics. The Health Department continues to add appointments as additional sites and staffing resources are secured. For a list of clinics, hours of operation or to book an appointment, visit www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment or call 1-888-444-5113. Appointments are also available through the provincial GO-VAXX Covid-19 vaccination clinics. Visit www.ontario.ca/page/go-vaxx-bus-schedule for information about provincial GO-VAXX Covid-19 vaccination clinics. It is important to note that due to high demand for vaccines, walk-in opportunities are no longer available at Durham Region community vaccination clinics or through the provincial GO-VAXX Covid-19 clinics. Appointments are required at all clinics to receive vaccine.

The Health Department also has a limited supply of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) Covid-19 vaccine. Janssen is a one-dose vaccine that is now available for individuals who have not received any Covid-19 vaccine to date. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) indicated that the Janssen Covid-19 vaccine is over 85 per cent effective at least 28 days after vaccination. Individuals must meet the following criteria to be eligible to receive a Janssen Covid-19 vaccine at a Health Department community immunization clinic:

  • Must be 18 years of age and older, and
  • Have not received any Covid-19 vaccine dose to date.

Residents who want Janssen vaccine can call the Health Department at 1-888-444-5113 to book an appointment. Due to limited supply, online booking is not available for the Janssen vaccine. Additional information regarding the Janssen vaccine is available on the Ministry of Health’s Janssen Covid-19 Vaccine Information Sheet.  For more information on Covid-19 vaccines in Durham Region, visit www.durham.ca/Covidvaccines.

EARLIER STORY

It’ll be Moderna for 30+ till Durham gets Pfizer supplies

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