Ontario confirms 2-3 day delay in next Pfizer delivery as Ottawa prepares to open new vaccination clinics
The Ontario government says a "large supply" of Moderna doses will be used to supplement a delay in next week's delivery of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines.
News of the two to three day delay comes as the city of Ottawa prepares to open five new vaccination clinics on Monday thanks to an influx of Moderna doses from the province. The city was expecting a shipment of Pfizer doses to arrive in the capital on Monday.
A spokesperson for Health Minister Christine Elliott confirmed to CTV News Ottawa Saturday evening that Ontario's Pfizer delivery for next week has been delayed by two to three days.
"We have a large supply of Moderna doses which will be used to supplement the delayed Pfizer doses," said the statement.
"If you had Moderna or Pfizer for your first dose, you can safely take either Moderna or Pfizer for your second dose for strong protection. Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are authorized for use in Canada and use a similar mRNA technology, so the vaccines are interchangeable and safe to mix."
Ottawa has received 53,800 doses of Pfizer vaccine each of the past two Mondays. CTV News Ottawa reached out to the city of Ottawa Saturday evening to see if the delayed shipment of Pfizer doses would impact the vaccine rollout next week.
Ottawa is set to open five new COVID-19 vaccination clinics on Monday, as more Moderna vaccines arrive in Ottawa.
CTV Toronto reported Saturday that mass immunization clinics in Toronto will only be administering the Moderna mRNA vaccine to people aged 18 and older starting Sunday due to the delay with the Pfizer shipment.
The Pfizer shipment delay comes two days before Ontario expands the eligibility for residents to book an accelerated second dose of the vaccine. On Monday, adults aged 18 and older who received their first dose before May 9 are eligible to book a second dose.
Meantime, health officials in the Outaouais have temporarily paused booking new vaccine appointments due to the delay in Pfizer deliveries.
In a statement, the CISSS de l'Outaouais said a delay in the delivery of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses have forced them to close appointments available through the online booking system for residents in Gatineau and western Quebec this weekend.
"Appointments already scheduled will be honoured," said the CISSS de l'Outaouais.
The delivery of Pfizer doses is scheduled for next week, and the CISSS de l'Outaouais said it would reopen online booking appointments.
Walk-in vaccination sites and mobile sites will offer Moderna doses this weekend.
As of Friday, 65.3 per cent of Outaouais residents had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air quality alerts issued as wildfire smoke spreads east from Western Canada
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
LIVE UPDATES Michael Cohen will face a bruising cross-examination by Trump's lawyers at the hush money trial
Donald Trump’s fixer-turned-foe returns to the witness stand Tuesday for a bruising round of questioning from the former president’s lawyers.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Risks of handcuffing someone facedown long known; people die when police training fails to keep up
For decades, police across the United States have been warned that the common tactic of handcuffing someone facedown could turn deadly if officers pin them on the ground with too much pressure or for too long.
A healthy lifestyle can mitigate genetic risk for early death by 62%, study suggests
Even if your genetics put you at greater risk for early death, a healthy lifestyle could help you significantly combat it, according to a new study.
Sunchips, Munchies recalled by Frito Lay Canada for possible salmonella contamination
Frito Lay Canada is recalling two of its most popular snacks due to a possible risk of salmonella contamination.