Ontario to Proceed With AstraZeneca Second Doses

By: Laura Steiner
Ontario is proceeding with the second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.  The announcement was made by the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams this morning.
“Nothing is more important than the health of Ontarians, and for the best protection against COVID-19 it is vital that everyone who received the AstraZeneca vaccine for their first dose receives a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine,” Williams said.  Eligible residents can book an earlier dose of 10 weeks with informed consent.
The second doses will begin with those who had their first doses between March 10, 2021, and March 29.  Eligible residents are being asked to contact the pharmacy or primary care provider where they had their first dose to book an appointment beginning May 24.
The province paused the rollout of AstraZeneca’s first dose as of May 11 due to the increased reports of a vaccine induced blood clots.  Approximately 1 million adults had their first doses since it was first launched in pharmacies this past March.  Approximately 31,000 doses of the vaccine were set to expire May 31.