AstraZeneca vaccine: some changes for the second dose

Move your appointment sooner, choose your vaccine...

Here's what you can do after the Government's recent announcements

What changed?

The Government of Ontario recently announced they will be accelerating the timelines to administer the second dose of COVID-19 vaccines. For those who received AstraZeneca for their first dose, the change allows you to receive your second dose at a minimum of eight weeks after your first dose. The government also announced they are allowing those who have received one dose of AstraZeneca the choice between receiving AstraZeneca again or receiving either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine instead.

You now have a choice for earlier eligibility to receive your second dose and you have a choice of which vaccine you receive. Here is what we’re doing to help you navigate next steps:

• All original second dose appointments have been cancelled. You will be added to a new booking list in the same order as your original appointment. This will be based on eligibility and vaccine availability in the pharmacy.
• In the next few days, you will receive an email from us requesting you to choose your vaccine preference – whether you stay with AstraZeneca or switch to the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. Please note the choice will also depend on brand availability at your pharmacy.
• Choosing the right vaccine for you is a personal decision. Please speak to your health care provider, and you may also find helpful information here: NACI rapid response: Interchangeability of authorized COVID-19 vaccines.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we adapt to the evolving rollout of Ontario COVID-19 vaccination campaign.