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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.