If you still need a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, or you’re waiting for a second dose, here’s some information to keep in mind.
Information about Astra-Zeneca Doses
You may have heard that Ontario stopped offering the Astra-Zeneca vaccine due to the risk of rare but dangerous blood clotting. However, data from around the world indicates that the blood clotting risk from a second dose of Astra-Zeneca is much lower. So, if you have already had one dose of Astra-Zeneca, you have two options:
- You may choose to receive Astra-Zeneca for your second dose in order to be fully vaccinated. The recommended timing is at or after 12 weeks since your first dose. You can contact the pharmacy where you received your first dose to make an appointment to receive your second dose.
- You may wait until more safety information is available on safety of received an mRNA vaccine (such as Pfizer or Moderna) as a second dose. A clinical trial is now underway to test the safety and effectiveness of mixing the vaccines, and results are expected in June. Early results from Spain indicate that a dose of Astra-Zeneca, followed by a dose of Pfizer, provides good immunity with only mild to moderate side effects and no hospitalizations. If the National Committee on Immunization (NACI) reviews the evidence and concludes this strategy is safe and effective, then individuals who received Astra-Zeneca as a first dose will be eligible for a second dose of another vaccine.
Other Information
As of May 26, 55% of Ontario’s population had received one dose of vaccine, with numbers rising quickly. Vaccination clinics are opening up around the province to vaccinate teens and families, as individuals 12 and over are now eligible for vaccination. In additional to the provincial vaccine clinics, other clinics are often “pop ups”, which means they set up for a few days or weeks. Here are a few resources to help you register for a first dose.
- Ontario government booking site: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/
- Vaccine Hunters is a group of volunteers collecting and sharing vaccination information across the country. They share information every day on new clinics and clinics that have vaccine availability same day. Here are some links:
Vaccine Hunters on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vaxhunterscan
Vaccine Hunters on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VaxHuntersCan
Vaccine Hunters on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vaxhuntersca/
- Local news (radio, TV and newspapers) are regularly sharing information on clinics – CP24 is a good option to check regularly
Wondering About Your 2nd Dose?
In Ontario, appointments for second doses of Pfizer and Moderna have typically been scheduled when an individual received their first dose. Second doses will typically be scheduled for 16 weeks after first dose. If you did not receive a second appointment when you booked for your first, you will likely be contacted closer to the end of your 16 week waiting period.