Being able to mix COVID-19 vaccines gives the Northwestern Health Unit more flexibility.
Medical Officer of Health Doctor Kit Young Hoon says that’s especially good for those who had AstraZeneca for their first dose.
“Because of the concerns related to the vaccine-induced blood clots,” says Doctor Young Hoon, “clients are given the option of considering a different vaccine for their second dose.”
She explains that just because they can doesn’t mean that they will.
“We would be aiming to provide the same vaccine (they got for their first dose) if it is available (and) at this time, both Pfizer and Moderna are available in the region.”
Doctor Young Hoon adds that should supply issues arise it’s nice to know they have the option to mix vaccines.
“We now know that the option is there. Because both (Pfizer and Moderna) are mRNA vaccines, it makes them interchangeable if we need to use the other one.”
To date, the Northwestern Health Unit has administered 55,564 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
