Some Windsor-Essex residents content with second dose of AstraZeneca, despite change in recommendation
After another change on recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) for people who received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, some Windsor residents remain unconcerned with their choice to get the second dose of that vaccine.
The committee is now saying those people should receive a second dose of an mRNA vaccine — such as Pfizer or Moderna.
But Douglas Weeks, who received his second AstraZeneca shot on June 5, isn’t concerned.
“What can I do?” Weeks said, noting he took what was offered at the time.
“This is what I chose to do, but obviously I can’t undo the choice I’ve made. So I’m happy with it,” he says.
Same with Frank Harshaw — who has no issue with the shots he’s taken and was happy to take the advice of the day from medical professionals.
“If they told me I took two AstraZeneca and I’m protected, I’m protected, I’m not worried at all,” Harshaw says.
In Windsor-Essex, more than 37,000 people received their first dose of AstraZeneca before it stopped being offered as a first dose. To date, 17,551 people have had their second dose of the same vaccine.
“It’s based on the better treatment option that’s available, it has nothing to do with any kind of harm to anyone,” says Windsor-Essex County Health Unit medical officer of health, Dr. Wajid Ahmed.
According to NACI, the advice considers the most recent evidence on rare instances of blood clots associated with AstraZeneca — but also the huge increase of mRNA vaccine supply arriving in Canada.
“Some emerging evidence showing that if you received the first dose of Astra Zeneca and then you received an mRNA vaccine, that immune response appears to be very robust,” says Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer.
Dr. Ahmed is also ruling out the need for any additional mRNA shots for people twice vaccinated with the viral vector vaccine, AstraZeneca.
“Those who received two full doses of Astra Zeneca, they’re fully protected, they don’t need an additional dose,” he says.
In fact, many still appear content to take their second Astra Zeneca shot.
Tim Brady, owner of Brady’s Drug Store in Essex, says only three of 75 people booked for a second dose of Astra Zeneca Friday cancelled their appointments.
“I can certainly recognize that people may be asking questions or feel frustrated, but as I said yesterday, NACI is following the science and providing up to date recommendations,” says Dr. Tam.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Federal employees will be required to spend 3 days a week in the office
Starting in September, public servants in the core public administration will be required to work in the office a minimum of three days a week. The Treasury Board Secretariat says executives will need to be in the office four days per week.
Concerns about plexiglass prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall plexiglass barriers.
OPP officer said 'someone's going to get hurt' before wrong-way Hwy. 401 crash
As multiple Durham police cruisers were chasing a robbery suspect on the wrong side of Highway 401 Monday night, an Ontario Provincial Police officer shared his concerns, telling a dispatcher, "Someone's going to get hurt."
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Göring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
Poilievre returns to House unrepentant for calling Trudeau 'wacko,' Speaker not resigning
An unrepentant Pierre Poilievre returned to the House of Commons on Wednesday to pepper the prime minister about his drug decriminalization policies after being booted the day prior for refusing to take back calling Justin Trudeau 'wacko' over his approach to the issue.
Liberal MP says she's leaving politics over disrespectful dialogue, threats, misogyny
Liberal MP Pam Damoff says she won't run again in the next federal election, saying she has experienced misogyny, disrespectful dialogue in politics and threats to her life.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
Canada's most wanted fugitive arrested in P.E.I. in connection with Toronto homicide
A suspect in a fatal shooting in Toronto’s east end last summer has been arrested in Charlottetown, just one week after he topped a list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives.
Plane overshoots runway at airport in St. John's, N.L., no injuries reported
Investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are headed to St. John's, N.L., after a plane overshot a runway at the city's airport this afternoon.