A 2nd dose of AstraZeneca, or mix and match? Advice from B.C. immunologists
The more than a quarter million British Columbians who received the AstraZeneca vaccine have an important decision to make: stick with AstraZeneca for their second dose, or opt for Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine?
With Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization now saying that AstraZeneca recipients should be given the choice on which vaccine to take for their second dose, 275,000 B.C. residents will be seeking information on how to decide.
“For folks that are not immunologists or don’t have sufficient understanding of what’s been going on, they just need to be protected, this is a really tough choice,” said Ismael Samudio, founder of the Vancouver research company Immunity Diagnostics.
There are pros and cons related to choosing either Pfizer or AstraZeneca as a second dose, but much more data available on the outcomes associated with opting for AstraZeneca.
“It’s been proven to be safe and efficacious on that schedule with a huge number of people, that’s why it was licensed in the first place,” said Vancouver immunologist Dr. Kelly McNagny. “The cons would be that there is always concern with (blood) clotting.”
The risk for the rare blood clotting condition associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine is lower for those receiving it a second time. About one in 600,000 people who received a second dose of AstraZeneca experienced a blood clot. But there is no risk of clotting after taking Pfizer.
There is preliminary data suggesting mixing and matching with Pfizer after a first dose of AstraZeneca may have more side effects, but that it also creates a stronger immune response.
“Side effects tend to tell you how strong the vaccine response is, and if people are showing more side effects, that’s telling you they’re actually getting a better boost in their immune response,” McNagny said.
Samudio agrees, saying “If you are gung ho about your immunity and you want a really strong immune response, and you are less concerned about any potential side effects, yeah you should mix the vaccines.”
Both McNagny and Samudio say they would personally choose a second dose of AstraZeneca, but McNagny is advising British Columbians to take whichever is offered first.
“Whatever you can get at the soonest date is what I would go with. And with the mRNA vaccines rolling in, I think it’s likely that’s what they’ll be able to get. And they should feel comfortable with that,” he said.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is expected to release more information about second shots for AstraZeneca recipients, including the interval between doses, on Thursday. But it’s unclear if she will recommend one vaccine over the other, or tell British Columbians it’s totally up to them.
Samudio says the decision is daunting and people are looking for more than just information, they want advice on what to do. “I would prefer health authorities to give more guidance,” he said. “I think it is very confusing for a lot of people, so I understand and I empathize with that.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.