Most islanders accepting Moderna as 2nd vaccine dose, though some hesitant
People streaming into the Victoria Conference Centre Wednesday for a second COVID-19 vaccine shot all received Moderna for their second dose.
Many people on Vancouver Island and across the province got a Pfizer shot for their first dose, but a lack of supply of Pfizer – once dubbed the "workhorse" vaccine for B.C. – and a sudden surge of Moderna has led to a temporary shift, leaving Moderna as the vaccine being put in arms at most clinics right now.
Medical experts, including Dr. Gerald Evans, an infectious disease specialist at Queen’s University, say Pfizer and Moderna are effectively the same product, just created by different manufacturers.
"These are identical vaccines, they are using the identical template," said Evans Wednesday.
Still, Dr. Mike Benusic, who is in charge of mass vaccinations for Island Health, acknowledges that some people are getting upset when offered Moderna – with some refusing it and holding out hopes for a Pfizer shot later.
"There have been some isolated incidents of people choosing not to get their second dose at the clinic that day," said Benusic, emphasizing that the vast majority of people are accepting Moderna for their second shot.
He says the stress of the pandemic may be contributing to certain reactions, but there have been rare occasions when people get upset when their vaccine of choice isn’t offered at their mass vaccination clinic.
"There have been a few instances where people get angry if there brand is not available," said Benusic.
The bias for the Pfizer brand, despite both vaccines being deemed equally effective and safe to mix, comes down to branding, says Evans.
"This availability bias where, 'Wow, I just heard lots about Pfizer every time I read,'" said Evans. "Every time something is mentioned it’s Pfizer, and so people really get used to the idea, 'This must be the best vaccine, because I hear about it a lot.'"
Island Health encourages people to take either shot when offered. It says you are free to decline a Moderna shot and reschedule an appointment, but there’s no guarantee you'll get Pfizer the next time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
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.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.