Public health experts, GTA mayors argue for shortened AstraZeneca second dose interval
Public health experts and local politicians are arguing that individuals who received a shot of AstraZeneca in Ontario shouldn’t have to wait 12 weeks in order to get a second vaccine dose as the province works to curb the spread of COVID-19 and prevent a potential fourth wave.
New modelling data released Thursday suggested that full immunization in high-risk communities is required in order to prevent an increase in daily COVID-19 cases—particularly for the Delta variant, B.1.617, which is expected to become Ontario’s dominant strain.
That same day, Ontario announced it would be allowing those living in Delta variant hot spots who received Pfizer or Moderna as their first COVID-19 vaccine dose to receive their second dose at a shorter interval.
However, it was also announced that those who received AstraZeneca as a first dose would still have to wait a full 12-weeks before receiving their second, even if it is an mRNA vaccine.
As of Friday, Ontario is the only province in Canada mandating a minimum 12-week interval for those who received AstraZeneca as their first dose.
“We do have some emerging data that indeed if you do wait 12 weeks you mount a pretty robust immune response, but there's also data demonstrating that those who do mix and match vaccines also mount a pretty robust immune response, and you'll mount that at eight weeks and 10 weeks as well,” Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease expert and member of the province’s vaccine task force, told CTV News Toronto.
“We know that there are Delta variants circulating and we know that two doses of a vaccine are more protective than one and, in fact, it's significantly more protective than one. That's why we should drive policy to really enable a faster second dose for whatever vaccine people want.”
Speaking to CP24 Friday, Dr. Peter Jüni, Scientific Director of Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, hinted that discussions were being had around shortening the gap between AstraZeneca doses and that the Science Table may support a shorter timeline.
“We've had some discussions already on the topic and we meet again today,” Jüni said.
“We agreed, you know as a table, on eight weeks and we will have a discussion today with Dr. Huyer and other colleagues and we'll talk.”
When providing a vaccine update on Thursday, Health Minister Christine Elliott maintained that the science supports a 12-week interval period.
“That is the gold standard and that's why we are relying on that and continuing to have that as the rule for dosages and second doses of AstraZeneca,” Elliott said.
Mayors in the Greater Toronto Area are also calling for a shorter gap between doses.
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie put out a statement Friday morning commended those who helped curb the third wave by “stepping up by getting AstraZeneca.”
“It’s not fair they have to wait for 12 weeks for their [second dose], especially with experts saying it’s safe to move to eight weeks. Other provinces moved to eight, Ontario needs to follow suit,” Crombie said.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown also took to social media to release a statement, echoing many statements first made by Crombie.
“I implore the government to make second doses available immediately for those that got AZ. It’s supported by both the best scientific and medical advice,” Brown wrote.
While Elliott is calling the 12-week interval “a gold standard,” Brown says he doesn’t know where that medical advice is coming from.
“Left, right, and center, there are physicians coming out saying this is not based on science, not based on the medical advice. Even Dr. Isaac Bogach, on their own COVID-19 Task Force, said it is imperative we get these vaccines in arms as quickly as possible,” Brown told CTV News Toronto Friday, adding that he also did his own due diligence and spoke to top infectious disease doctors at William Ostler Health, all of which said the interval should be shortened.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.3960391.1554513210!/httpImage/image.jpeg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpeg)
Woman dies at Rolling Stones concert in Vancouver
A woman attending the Rolling Stones concert at BC Place died Friday night, police confirmed.
Terrorism charges laid against B.C. woman who married ISIS fighter
A B.C. woman who was repatriated from a Syrian prison camp in 2022 has been arrested and charged with terrorism offences, police announced Saturday.
This Italian vacation hotspot is turning tourists away as it runs out of water
Set atop a hill on the Italian island of Sicily, Agrigento is a heritage tourist’s paradise. But the aqueduct, and others built in modern times, are running so dry that small hotels and guesthouses in the city and nearby coast are being forced to turn tourists away.
Jon Landau, Oscar-winning 'Titanic' and 'Avatar' producer, dies at 63
Jon Landau, an Oscar-winning producer who worked closely with director James Cameron on three of the biggest blockbusters of all time, 'Titanic' and two 'Avatar' films, has died. He was 63.
Radio host who interviewed Biden says aides provided questions in advance
U.S. President Joe Biden’s team provided a list of questions to a radio host who interviewed the president this week in the aftermath of his debate performance, the host told CNN.
ANALYSIS Why are Trudeau and Singh avoiding Stampede this year?
This year, only Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre will be saddling up for the event, while both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh will stay away.
Here are some safety tips if you're travelling alone this summer
Though travelling by yourself can be scary and intimidating, there are some ways to make sure you’re safe and have a good time, says a solo travel and content creator from Ottawa.
Saskatoon man charged for leaving hate comments on woman’s obituary pleads guilty
The man who left hate comments on a murder victim’s online obituary has been sentenced.
Alleged accomplice of Quebec gang leader Dave 'Pic' Turmel arrested in B.C.
Another alleged accomplice of the leader of the Blood Family Mafia (BFM), Dave 'Pic' Turmel, has been arrested by the RCMP.