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
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.