Pfizer delivery delay prompts Toronto, Peel clinics to only administer Moderna vaccine to adults this week
Toronto’s mass immunization clinics will only be administering the Moderna mRNA vaccine to people aged 18 and up starting on Sunday as the delivery of the city’s weekly Pfizer vaccine supply will be delayed.
The city announced the change Saturday after Toronto Public Health was informed by the province that the shipment of the more than 162,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine will not arrive in freezers as scheduled on Monday.
As a result, the city will instead administer Moderna vaccines to honour bookings at its clinics “as it is interchangeable with Pfizer.”
Earlier this month, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommended that if the mRNA vaccine a person received as their first dose is not available, they can be offered another mRNA shot to complete their vaccination.
Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer of health, said in a statement that administering shots should not be delayed despite the setback.
“With the Delta variant growing at an exponential rate in Toronto, vaccines are one of our key strategies to slow transmission. Both Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines are interchangeable, equally effective and safe for everyone over 18 years,” she said.
“If you have an appointment, keep it. If you don’t have an appointment for a first or second dose, make one as soon as you are eligible.”
The city said its limited supply of the Pfizer vaccine will be reserved for youth between the ages of 12 and 17. The Pfizer shot is the only vaccine approved in Canada that can be used for that age group.
“Clinic staff will ensure clients are aware of which vaccine brand they will be receiving, however, there will be no opportunity for clients to request or switch to a particular vaccine brand,” the city said, adding that its vaccine partners are also making similar adjustments.
Peel Public Health also announced Saturday that its Pfizer supply for next week will be delayed.
As a result, from June 21 to at least June 24, all Peel clinics will only offer Moderna vaccines for all booked appointments by individuals 18 years old and up.
Pfizer shots will continue to be administered to those aged 12 to 17, the region said.
“This Pfizer shipment delay provides us an opportunity to remind our community of the clear science around interchangeability. Our community Mass Vaccination Program has again built out to full capacity to quickly achieve broad two-dose coverage in Peel,” Dr. Lawrence Loh, Peel Region’s medical officer of health, said in a statement.
Subject to provincial allocation, we will continue to use all available supplies of approved vaccine to keep our reopening on track.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said the delivery of Pfizer doses has been delayed for two to three days.
“We have a large supply of Moderna doses which will be used to supplement the delayed Pfizer doses,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
“If you had Moderna or Pfizer for your first dose, you can safely take either Moderna or Pfizer for your second dose for strong protection. 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.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Drone footage shows Ukrainian village battered to ruins as residents flee Russian advance
The Ukrainian village of Ocheretyne has been battered by fighting, drone footage obtained by The Associated Press shows. The village has been a target for Russian forces in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Parliamentary report on Emergencies Act decision is 18 months past due — and counting
The erstwhile group of senators and MPs studying the federal government's invocation of the Emergencies Act over the "Freedom Convoy" was supposed to present its findings in December. December of 2022, that is.