Pfizer vaccines again available at Ottawa community clinics
Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are now available at Ottawa's 11 community vaccination clinics, now that a delayed Pfizer shipment has arrived.
The city also confirms a "relatively small number of residents" declined to receive the Moderna vaccine because they wanted a Pfizer shot for their second dose.
On Sunday, the city of Ottawa announced only Moderna COVID-19 vaccines would be available for adults 18 and older due to the delayed shipment of Pfizer doses to Canada.
The Ontario government confirmed the Pfizer shipment would be delayed two or three days this week, but no reason was given. The remaining Pfizer vaccines in Ottawa's freezers were reserved for residents 12 to 17, since it's the only vaccine approved for youth in Canada.
The weekly shipment of 53,820 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has now arrived in Ottawa, and both doses are now available for residents.
"The city currently has both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines available at our community clinics," said a statement from Anthony Di Monte, Ottawa's general manager of emergency and protective services.
"Residents can now book last-minute, same-day COVID-19 vaccinations at community clinics in Ottawa through the COVID-19 vaccine wait list. This tool helps residents receive a vaccine more quickly, and also helps the clinics operate more efficiently by enabling them to administer all of the vaccines prepared for use each day."
Di Monte said last week that the city would attempt to have both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines available at Ottawa clinics, however the flood of Moderna doses arriving in Ottawa meant some residents would have to make an informed consent decision to interchange vaccines to receive the second dose as quickly as possible.
VACCINE SHOPPING?
Ottawa Public Health encourages residents to take the first COVID-19 vaccine available for your second dose to provide earlier two-dose protection.
Di Monte confirms to CTV News Ottawa that a "relatively small number of residents" have declined to receive the vaccine available at community clinics this week.
"While we are currently offering both Pfizer and Moderna at our community clinics, given fluctuations in our vaccine supply, we cannot guarantee a particular vaccine type for adults 18 years and older," said Di Monte Thursday afternoon.
"Ottawa Public Health continues to work with health and community partners as well as residents to increase vaccine confidence. Interchanging vaccines is safe and effective."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.