Ottawa Public Health (OPH) encourages Ottawa residents to take
the first COVID-19 vaccine available for your second dose to provide
earlier two-dose protection which is recommended where variants of
concern are circulating.
On June 1, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) updated
its recommendations on the interchangeability of COVID-19 vaccines used
in Canada. This means that you could receive one vaccine for your first
dose and a different vaccine for your second dose to complete your
COVID-19 vaccine series.
Interchanging
vaccines is safe and effective and is not a new practice. Similar
vaccines from different manufacturers are used when vaccine supply or
public health programs change. Different
vaccine products have been used to complete a vaccine series for
influenza, hepatitis A, and others.
The priority is to receive two doses of a vaccine to complete the series and be fully protected. Both mRNA vaccines, Moderna and Pfizer, are made the same way. Getting
the same vaccine for your first and second doses or getting one vaccine
for your first dose and a different vaccine for your second dose (also
called a “mixed schedule”), are both
considered valid options.
Moderna and Pfizer have very similar effectiveness and side effects. The
best vaccine you can get is the first one that is available to you and a
second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is needed for the best protection
against COVID-19 and its more transmissible variants. All
COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Canada are safe and effective and
they all reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and
death, and will
help with the control of COVID-19 in the community.
If you received AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD as your first dose, NACI
recommends that you receive either AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine or an
mRNA vaccine, such as Moderna or Pfizer, for your second dose. For more
information on mixed
vaccine schedules, please review NACI’s Interchangeability of Authorized COVID-19 Vaccines. Note that Ontario no longer offers AstraZeneca vaccine for those who have not received a first dose of AstraZeneca. For further information please contact your primary care provider.
Residents can visit Ontario.ca/bookvaccine
to
access the provincial booking system or call the provincial vaccine
booking line at 1-833-943-3900 between 8 am and 8 pm, seven days a week.
Only book or call if you are eligible. Everyone is eligible to book a
second dose vaccination at the standard 16-week interval in Ontario, but
only those living in certain congregate settings or with certain
medical conditions, highest-risk healthcare workers and those vaccinated
prior to April 18 are eligible to book at shortened dose intervals at
this time in Ottawa.
Thursday, 17 June 2021
City of Ottawa - Interchanging vaccines for COVID-19 second doses
You may also be able to book your vaccine appointment at a local
pharmacy.
Most pharmacies book appointments ahead of time and some allow
walk-ins. Eligible residents should check with the pharmacy directly.
Select primary care teams are also offering vaccines. Residents may also
be eligible to book their second dose vaccination at a pop-up clinic or at Bruyère vaccine clinic. Please visit Bruyere.org to verify eligibility and book your appointment.
Follow the City’s social media channels for updates on the provincial booking system. Sign up for the COVID-19 vaccination update e-subscription for regular news on the vaccine roll-out.
Visit ottawa.ca or OttawaPublicHealth.ca for more information on Ottawa’s vaccination distribution plan.
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