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 Alberta health officials said more than 300,000 doses have been withdrawn in the province while Ontario and Saskatchewan said it will take time to determine their counts.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.
香蕉视频直播淲e are encouraging people in B.C. to wait for the new formulation if they can 香蕉视频直播� but we are ensuring in the interim that vaccine remains available for people who may need it,香蕉视频直播� 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, 香蕉视频直播渢here will no longer be XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines available for use in Canada.香蕉视频直播�
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 香蕉视频直播渢ransition plan香蕉视频直播� with the provinces and territories that gives them 香蕉视频直播渇lexibility to ensure ongoing access to current supply until new vaccines are approved.香蕉视频直播�
The Canadian Pharmacists Association said Thursday that 香蕉视频直播渕ismatched guidance香蕉视频直播� on existing COVID vaccines can lead to confusion for patients.
香蕉视频直播淲hile we understand that many provincial governments have communicated specific instructions to pharmacists based on the federal government香蕉视频直播檚 direction to withdraw existing XBB vaccine supplies, that communication varies between provinces,香蕉视频直播� an association spokesperson said in a statement.
香蕉视频直播淲hen there is a gap in access this can lead to a lot of questions from patients at the pharmacy.香蕉视频直播�
Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, said he takes issue with the federal agencies香蕉视频直播檓essaging on pulling COVID vaccines that are still effective.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 trying to make sure that we don香蕉视频直播檛 reduce public confidence in the vaccine,香蕉视频直播� Conway said in an interview.
香蕉视频直播淎 message like this, 香蕉视频直播榃e香蕉视频直播檙e taking a vaccine that we told you was good, really good, and you needed to get six or nine months ago, and now we香蕉视频直播檙e saying, oh, well, now we香蕉视频直播檙e destroying it, even though it香蕉视频直播檚 not expired.香蕉视频直播� It香蕉视频直播檚 a message that is already being a little bit misinterpreted by the public.香蕉视频直播�
Conway said B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 decision to provide doses of the XBB vaccine to people who may still want one is a 香蕉视频直播渞easoned香蕉视频直播� approach.
香蕉视频直播淚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,香蕉视频直播� Conway said.
Health Canada says it香蕉视频直播檚 reviewing updated COVID vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax on 香蕉视频直播渁n expedited basis,香蕉视频直播� and expects to authorize them this fall if they meet safety and efficacy standards. A spokesperson for the Ontario health minister said it香蕉视频直播檚 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 香蕉视频直播渧ery small number of people,香蕉视频直播� said Dr. Zain Chagla, an associate professor at McMaster University and an infectious diseases physician in Hamilton.
香蕉视频直播淓ven people at risk are better off just waiting, recognizing that they want that protection and they want optimized protection going into the season,香蕉视频直播� Chagla said.
