KFL&A Public Health reported Sunday that the Ministry of Health notified it of a shipment delay impacting the delivery of Pfizer vaccine to local community clinics.
Therefore, most clinics in the KFL&A region will move to offer Moderna vaccine with a limited supply of Pfizer vaccine available for individuals who are 18 to 29 years old, as there is a provincial recommendation for that age group to receive Pfizer due to a potential increased risk for pericarditis or myocarditis. The Paediatric Pfizer vaccine dose for 5 to 11 years of age is still available and will continue to be offered at the clinics.
Public Health said it has an adequate supply of Moderna vaccine for adults third dose and clinics will continue to run at full capacity. Individuals 30 years of age and older may be offered Moderna vaccine as their third dose until additional vaccine supply is received.
“I urge all residents to access their third dose in any approved combination as quickly as possible to protect themselves, their loved ones, and our community,” said Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health. “Mixing doses is not a new practice – the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), the Canadian agency that oversees all vaccines and their use, state that the mixing of COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective.”
Public Health also confirmed that Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are approved by Health Canada and use a similar mRNA technology, so the vaccines are interchangeable and safe to mix.
Residents can book appointments through KFL&A Public Health’s online vaccine clinic tool for local clinic appointments and up to date information can be found at Kflaph.ca/Coronavirus or COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario.
