THUNDER BAY — A delay in expected shipments of Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 has resulted in a shift to Moderna vaccine at local vaccination clinics this week.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit made the announcement Monday afternoon.
It said it only learned about the delay on the weekend.
To accommodate the unexpected supply change and to ensure everyone currently booked for vaccine will gets their shot, the TBDHU said the following clinics will administer Moderna rather than Pfizer as previously indicated:
- Tues. June 22 - TBDHU CLE Colisesum clinic
- Wed. June 23 - TBDHU CLE Coliseum clinic and TBR Health Sciences Centre clinic at Bora Laskin building, Lakehead University
- Thur. June 24 - TBDHU CLE Coliseum clinic and TBR Health Sciences Centre clinic at Bora Laskin building, Lakehead University
- Fri. June 25 - TBDHU CLE Coliseum clinic and TBR Health Sciences Centre clinic at Bora Laskin building, Lakehead University
These changes will not impact youth 12 to 17 years who have appointments to receive the Pfizer vaccine at any of these clinics. Pfizer is currently the only vaccine approved in Canada for individuals 12 to 17 years old.
The TBDHU also said other clinics in Thunder Bay are not impacted by this change. It expects remaining Pfizer vaccine from last week's supply will be adequate at these locations.
However, clinics in district communities will be impacted by the supply disruption. Further details will be provided at the local level.
The health unit said anyone scheduled to receive vaccine this week is "strongly encouraged" to attend their already-booked appointment.
"Moderna and Pfizer vacciines are both mRNA vaccines and are interchangeable," the TBDHU stated.
Individuals who received their first dose with Pfizer and were scheduled to receive their second dose of Pfizer this week can safely receive Moderna instead.
"This is safe and effective and will provide them optimal protection against COVID-19 and its variants, including the Delta variant, and they will be fully immunized," the statement said.
