Canada approves mixing and matching second vaccine doses, B.C. yet to confirm approval
For folks who got a first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine and want to mix and match it with either Pfizer or Moderna for their second shot, Canada’s top doctor, Dr. Theresa Tam, confirmed Tuesday what provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has been hinting at for weeks.
"People who received a first dose of AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine may receive either AstraZeneca Covishield or an mRNA," said Tam.
The guidance originated from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and is based on data from ongoing studies in Europe. Tam advised that those who received Pfizer or Moderna for a first dose could get either shot for their second.
Dr. Brian Conway with the Vancouver Infectious Disease Centre hailed the news as very encouraging for getting life back to normal sooner rather than later.
"[It] makes the program more robust, it makes it more likely that we will achieve the goal of normal by Labour Day (Sept. 6)," said Conway Tuesday.
Nearly 275,000 British Columbians got an AstraZeneca vaccine as a first shot and have been waiting for guidance on their second.
Henry said Monday that those people would have a choice regarding which shot to get for their second dose, but that details wouldn't be released until Thursday. On Tuesday, after Tam’s announcement, B.C.'s Health Ministry still wouldn’t formally confirm the mixing and matching of vaccines for second shots in the province. But, the ministry issued a statement noting that the decision would be guided by science and NACI’s advice.
Ongoing studies from Spain and the U.K. indicate that there might be extra protection for those who do get AstraZeneca as a first dose and Pfizer as a second dose. The studies also suggest that there might also be more significant — but purely temporary — flu-like side effects associated with that mixing and matching.
Ismail Samudio works in the field of immunology and is the founder of Immunology Diagnostics. He confirmed that those are part of the findings from the research.
"My guess is people will find the more you mix and match the better immune responses you get," said Samudio, adding that "you may not feel so hot after the second."
With both AstraZeneca and the two mRNA vaccines now deemed safe to use as second doses by the country’s top doctor, immunologist Dr. Kelly McNagy advises that if you get a choice, you should take the first vaccine offered to you as a second dose.
"Whatever you can get as the soonest date, I would go with," said McNagy. "And with the mRNA vaccines, I think it’s likely that’s what they’ll be able to get and they can feel comfortable with that."
Logistics of timing for second shots of AstraZeneca, along with confirmation about mixing and matching in B.C., is expected Thursday.
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.