Maritimers less hesitant about mixing vaccines, but seem to prefer consistency
Despite ongoing reassurances from health officials that Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are virtually identical and interchangeable, it seems many Canadians still prefer Pfizer and they're willing to wait to get it for a second shot -- but not necessarily in the Maritimes.
Moderna supplies have increased dramatically in recent weeks, prompting public health officers to urge residents to book second shots as soon as possible.
"I also want to reiterate that there is no difference between Moderna and Pfizer vaccines," said Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang during opening remarks at a COVID-19 briefing in Halifax on Tuesday.
"They are both mRNA vaccines, and both very effective," Strang said.
The sentiment was echoed by New Brunswick's top doctor on Wednesday.
"Those who received a Pfizer-BioNTech product as their first shot can get a Moderna vaccine for their second," said Dr. Jennifer Russell in Fredericton.
"These vaccines work in exactly the same way and are equally effective, separately or in combination."
In Dartmouth, about a thousand Pfizer appointments were booked at a former retail site at the Mic Mac Mall on Wednesday.
Retired engineer Michael Monteith was among those who'd come to get a shot, but insisted he had no preference on which vaccine he got.
"I wouldn't care if it was Moderna, if they had that," the 80-year-old told CTV News.
"Or if they didn't have a Pfizer. I would take Moderna."
Reg Clarke from Lower Sackville agreed.
"It didn't matter to me. As long as I got one, because everybody says they're both the same," Clarke said.
Those on the front lines of distribution around here say there doesn't appear to be any particular preference, but Maritimers seem to seek the satisfaction of keeping both shots the same.
"It's been hesitancy in switching that vaccine. It's not hesitancy in one vaccine over the other," said Allison Bodnar, CEO of the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia.
"If we look at the bookings, every booking we have for the next few weeks is full, whether it's for Moderna or Pfizer, or quite frankly, the end of the AZ allotment," she added.
"I think in Atlantic Canada, people just want to get their second shot,"
Leaving the mass vaccine site in Dartmouth, Monteith offered advice for anyone hesitating to book based on manufacturer preference.
"Don't wait another month," he said. "The risk is too great."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.