Canada Is Being Told To Give More First Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccines After New Findings

There is data showing that the COVID-19 vaccines' first dose efficacy is strong so provinces and territories are being told to give it to more people.

Dr. Theresa Tam tweeted that the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has new recommendations on that and delaying second doses.

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She noted that evidence is showing the first dose of the vaccines "provides sustained high levels of short-term protection against illness and severe outcomes."

Since Canada is getting staggered arrivals of vaccines, the committee recommends that provinces and territories give first doses to more people.

If there is a limited supply, then the second dose can be pushed back to within four months after the first.

NACI said extending the interval between doses gives them time to create opportunities for protecting the entire adult population in a short timeframe.

The Committee will continue to monitor all of the evidence on the effectiveness of extended doses and recommendations will be adjusted if needed.

AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine was approved for use recently and Canada secured an extra two million doses of it that are set to arrive in the weeks and months after authorization.

Health Canada has a robust website with all the latest information on the vaccines and can answer any questions you may have. Click here for more information.