Due to a province-wide delay in the Pfizer vaccine deliveries this week, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit’s mass vaccination clinics will be administering Moderna vaccine (first or second dose) to all adults scheduled for vaccinations at its mass immunization clinics in the coming days.

Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are interchangeable, and are equally safe and effective. Both vaccines use similar mRNA vaccine technology and can be safely mixed. For example, if you had Pfizer for your first dose, you can receive Moderna for your second dose, and vice versa. Both vaccines provide excellent protection against COVID-19 and its variants, including the Delta variant.

If you had AstraZeneca for your first dose you can safely take either Moderna, Pfizer or AstraZeneca for your second dose for strong protection.

If your second COVID-19 vaccine is different than your first dose, you do not need to start your series over again. You will be considered fully immunized two weeks after receiving two doses of any Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccines (AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna, in any combination).

The current remaining supply of Pfizer vaccine will be reserved for youth between the ages of 12 and 17, since this is only vaccine approved for this age group at this time.

Delivery of Pfizer vaccine supply is expected to resume later this week.

For more information on the safety of mixing COVID-19 vaccines, and how to schedule your second dose, consult the Ontario Ministry of Health’s webpage COVID-19 vaccines: getting your second dose, or phone the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488.