Ontario Is Running Out Of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine But Says It Has A Lot Of Modern For Everyone | The Canadian News

The province says it has enough mRNA vaccines to meet demand as it accelerates its launch to combat the COVID-19 Omicron variant, but says there is a shortage of the Pfizer vaccine, so in some areas, residents will receive Moderna.

“While we have an ample supply of mRNA vaccines to support our accelerated booster launch, there is a limited supply from Pfizer given the historic acceptance,” Ministry of Health spokesperson Alexandra Hilkene told Global News in an email.

“This is why we requested an additional four million doses of Pfizer from the federal government in January, which have yet to be confirmed.”

Over the weekend, the Waterloo and Kingston public health units announced that they would only give Moderna doses to those over 30, as they were reserving Pfizer for those in the younger age groups.

The Waterloo Public Health Unit said there was a provincial shortage, although it noted that it had more than enough doses to meet the needs of five to 11-year-olds.

In Kingston, it was a similar story as the public health unit also said it did not have the Pfizer vaccine due to a delay in shipment.

Both public health units and Hilkene said mixing vaccines was not a problem.

“Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines provide strong protection against COVID-19 and variants, and mixing vaccines is safe and effective,” Hilkene said.

Part of the shortage could be due to the fact that the province changed gears last week and opened vaccines to those under 50 years old earlier than expected.

Hilkene said both the provincial and federal governments were working together to ensure adequate supply was available during the first quarter of 2022.

“We will work closely with the federal government to understand the incoming vaccine supply from January to March, but we have received assurances that there will be enough vaccines for all Ontario residents as we continue to rapidly expand capacity and eligibility for doses. booster, “Hilkene said. .

– with files from Paul Soucy of Global News

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