Ontario is giving a shot in the arm to its COVID-19 vaccination efforts by approving the AstraZeneca vaccine for second doses, starting next week with people who got their first jabs in mid-March. However, officials are planning to offer second shots of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, made with mRNA technology, to people who received first doses of AstraZeneca, a viral vector vaccine, should they wish to switch. The decision to move ahead with second jabs of AstraZeneca was announced a day after Premier Doug Ford unveiled a three-stage plan on reopening the economy that is tied directly to vaccination rates, including second doses. Banerji said the government needs to step up second doses with some mass vaccination clinics having plenty of extra capacity. “There’s no point in waiting until every person’s had a first dose,” she added, suggesting separate lines at mass clinics for first and second doses, starting with older adults.

Source: thestar May 21, 2021 15:16 UTC