As it continues to administer third and booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible, the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reminding the community that the best vaccine to fight the pandemic virus is the one offered at your appointment. Starting today, and due to the limited supply of the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty® vaccine in Ontario, the MLHU will be providing the Moderna Spikevax™ to clients over the age of 30. The Health Unit’s supply of adult Pfizer vaccine is being prioritized for those between the ages of 12 and 29, in accordance with National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations that Pfizer is the preferred vaccine for this age group.
It is important to note that this strategy does not affect the Pfizer vaccine doses provided to children between the ages of five and 11.
The interchangeability of mRNA vaccines has been supported by experts at both NACI and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Interchangeability means that you can receive either the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty® or Moderna Spikevax™ mRNA vaccine as a second or booster dose, regardless of the vaccine received for previous doses. This concept is a pillar of the MLHU’s vaccination effort and a key component of the local effort to meet the challenges associated with COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.
“We want to ensure that everyone can get the protection they need, whether that’s a booster dose, a second dose or even a first dose. That means using the vaccine we have now to build a stronger level of protection in the community,” says Dr. Alex Summers, Acting Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “It’s worth reminding everyone that Pfizer and Moderna are essentially the same vaccine with different packaging; both offer good protection, regardless of which you’ve received previously.”
All London and Middlesex County residents over the age of 18 are currently eligible to receive a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine and there has been very strong demand for appointments at the Health Unit’s mass vaccination clinics. The MLHU is currently booking appointments four weeks in advance with over 1,500 new appointments released daily.
To book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at a mass vaccination clinic in London or Middlesex County, visit www.covidvaccinelm.ca.
For a list of local pharmacies that offer the COVID-19 vaccine, visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations or contact your healthcare provider to determine if they are administering the COVID-19 vaccine.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-617-0570 (cell.)
Spokesperson:
Dr. Alex Summers, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit