Early recipients of AstraZeneca vaccine in Brampton can now book second dose

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Published May 21, 2021 at 11:16 am

Mississauga and Brampton residents who received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine between March 10 and March 19 can now receive a second dose of the same vaccine.

During the week of May 24, people who received that March dose can book their second shot at the pharmacy or with the primary care provider where the initial vaccination took place.

This follows the decision made earlier this month by Ontario health officials to halt the use of AstraZeneca due to reports that it was causing adverse health conditions including stroke in some recipients.

However, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams says further studies show that the continued use of the AstraZeneca formulation is safe — especially the second dose — as the risk of side effects and complications are minimal.

Further research indicates that mixing doses from different manufacturers is not a desirable option at this time as the data on effectiveness is inconclusive.

Since March 10 and May 11 (the day the program was halted) one million people in Ontario had received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

As well, Ontario currently has a stockpile of 55,000 doses of AstraZeneca that has a shelf-life that expires at the end of May.

The government has not yet indicated the plans for those who received AstraZeneca between March 20 and May 11.

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