As several provinces get rid of their existing COVID-19 vaccine supplies to make way for updated shots expected in the fall, pharmacists and some doctors say the move raises questions about gaps in vaccine access and government messaging.
Officials in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec say they are following a directive from the Public Health Agency of Canada to dispose of vaccine stocks that target the XBB.1.5 variant, before new formulations are approved and distributed. Alberta health officials said more than 300,000 doses have been withdrawn in the province while Ontario and Saskatchewan said it will take time to determine their counts.
In contrast, British Columbia says it will continue to offer its remaining supply of COVID vaccines.
91裸聊视频淲e are encouraging people in B.C. to wait for the new formulation if they can 91裸聊视频� but we are ensuring in the interim that vaccine remains available for people who may need it,91裸聊视频� a spokesman for the provincial health officer said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Manitoba residents who still want a dose of the XBB.1.5 vaccine can make a request that will be considered on a case-by-case basis, a provincial spokesperson said.
The federal government previously stated on its website that after Aug. 31, 91裸聊视频渢here will no longer be XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines available for use in Canada.91裸聊视频�
But on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada told The Canadian Press that PHAC is working on a 91裸聊视频渢ransition plan91裸聊视频� with the provinces and territories that gives them 91裸聊视频渇lexibility to ensure ongoing access to current supply until new vaccines are approved.91裸聊视频�
The Canadian Pharmacists Association said Thursday that 91裸聊视频渕ismatched guidance91裸聊视频� on existing COVID vaccines can lead to confusion for patients.
91裸聊视频淲hile we understand that many provincial governments have communicated specific instructions to pharmacists based on the federal government91裸聊视频檚 direction to withdraw existing XBB vaccine supplies, that communication varies between provinces,91裸聊视频� an association spokesperson said in a statement.
91裸聊视频淲hen there is a gap in access this can lead to a lot of questions from patients at the pharmacy.91裸聊视频�
Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, said he takes issue with the federal agencies91裸聊视频檓essaging on pulling COVID vaccines that are still effective.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 trying to make sure that we don91裸聊视频檛 reduce public confidence in the vaccine,91裸聊视频� Conway said in an interview.
91裸聊视频淎 message like this, 91裸聊视频榃e91裸聊视频檙e taking a vaccine that we told you was good, really good, and you needed to get six or nine months ago, and now we91裸聊视频檙e saying, oh, well, now we91裸聊视频檙e destroying it, even though it91裸聊视频檚 not expired.91裸聊视频� It91裸聊视频檚 a message that is already being a little bit misinterpreted by the public.91裸聊视频�
Conway said B.C.91裸聊视频檚 decision to provide doses of the XBB vaccine to people who may still want one is a 91裸聊视频渞easoned91裸聊视频� approach.
91裸聊视频淚f you really need a shot now for a medical reason, this is still a very good vaccine that has good cross-protection against the currently circulating strains,91裸聊视频� Conway said.
Health Canada says it91裸聊视频檚 reviewing updated COVID vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax on 91裸聊视频渁n expedited basis,91裸聊视频� and expects to authorize them this fall if they meet safety and efficacy standards. A spokesperson for the Ontario health minister said it91裸聊视频檚 estimated that provinces will get the new vaccine supplies from Health Canada in October.
Individuals who need a vaccine dose in the short term should account for a 91裸聊视频渧ery small number of people,91裸聊视频� said Dr. Zain Chagla, an associate professor at McMaster University and an infectious diseases physician in Hamilton.
91裸聊视频淓ven people at risk are better off just waiting, recognizing that they want that protection and they want optimized protection going into the season,91裸聊视频� Chagla said.
