Associate MOH urges residents take first available vaccine, addresses mixing brands
Associate Medical Officer of Health (MOH) for KFL&A Public Health, Dr. Hugh Guan, is sharing the fact that his first and second does of COVID-19 vaccine were different brands, and is encouraging residents in the region to take the first vaccine available to them.
Dr. Guan had received a first dose of the Pfizer mRNA vaccine, and today received his second dose, this time of Moderna mRNA vaccine at the Strathcona Paper Centre to complete the two-dose vaccine series, KFL&A Public Health said in a media release dated Tuesday, Jun. 22, 2021.
“I feel hopeful in being part of the solution to put an end to this pandemic,” said Dr. Guan, said. “Being fully vaccinated is the greatest protection you can have against COVID-19.”
Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) supports and confirms ‘mixing mRNA vaccines’ or vaccine interchangeability is safe and effective, according to the release. Moderna and Pfizer are both mRNA vaccines that work in the same way and are considered interchangeable.
“I don’t want to ask people to do anything that I would not do myself. Hopefully, interchanging and getting this vaccination today will reduce any vaccine hesitancy that has been voiced around mixing mRNA vaccines,” he added.
Public Health is encouraging all individuals 18 years of age and older to keep their scheduled clinic appointment and receive the Moderna vaccine as their first or second dose. Moderna vaccine has proven to be equally as safe and effective as Pfizer vaccine in clinical trials and real-world studies.
Any individuals who have already received their vaccine through another clinic or are unable to keep their already scheduled appointment are asked to cancel their appointment so someone else can take it. For more information on how to cancel your clinic appointment, please visit the vaccine page on the agency’s website.
For more information about vaccinations in our region, please visit the Public Health vaccine booking and eligibility page. If you are eligible and unable to book an appointment, please register on the standby list.
For the most up to date information on COVID-19, visit www.Kflaph.ca/Coronavirus or www.Ontario.ca/coronavirus.