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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.