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
Arrest made, manslaughter charge pending in 2022 death of Calgary toddler
Calgary police have arrested a man and a charge is pending in connection with the death of a toddler in 2022.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson Airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Here's why experts don't think cloud seeding played a role in Dubai's downpour
Scientists say it's highly unlikely cloud seeding is responsible for the heavy rains that have caused flooding in the United Arab Emirates this month, and that climate change is the more likely culprit.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.