The Globe and Mail reports that Alberta has stopped the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in favor of other types of vaccination.
The newspaper cites Christine Klein, co-leader of the state’s Vaccine Task Force, saying the state has decided to move to the mRNA vaccine for the first dose.
The move is partly due to increased supply of mRNA shots from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, as well as concerns about the rare thrombotic conditions associated with AstraZeneca, according to reports.
AstraZeneca injections will continue to be available to those who do not want the mRNA vaccine or who cannot get it for health reasons, Klein said.
She also states in the report that no decision has yet been made as to which shot to administer as the second dose to those who have already been given shots of AstraZeneca.
The use of AstraZeneca vaccine has been in recent weeks, especially after the Canadian Vaccine Expert Committee has recommended that people who are not at high risk for COVID-19 may want to wait for Pfizer or Modana. It is being scrutinized further.
However, the chairman of the National Advisory Board on Immunization states that those who are already taking AstraZeneca should not feel that they have made a bad choice.
Almost all of the 2.3 million doses of AstraZeneca provided so far are used. Although no exact date has been given, officials said an additional 650,000 doses were expected this month and an additional 1 million doses expected in June.
Some doctors have questioned the continued use of AstraZeneca Shot.
Dr. Andrew Morris, an infectious disease expert and member of the COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Board in Ontario, recently tweeted that the AstraZeneca vaccine served its purpose, but with ample Pfizer and Moderna shots. As such, its use may be restricted, he said. .. This eliminates the risk of rare but serious blood clots that have nothing to do with Pfizer or Moderna.
Canada confirmed 12 cases of VITT (vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia) and 3 deaths.
Meanwhile, Ontario will be the latest state on Monday, and as Pfizer and Moderna shipments increase, it may be possible to mix the COVID-19 vaccine brand with a second dose.