Terminally ill B.C. woman's trip in limbo over mixed vaccine doses
A trip to Hawaii in late November is more than just a sunny getaway for Mary Jane Stenberg and her extended family – it could be the last time her daughter-in-law Sydney can travel.
The 25-year-old has been diagnosed with a rare form of terminal bone cancer.
“We don’t know how many more trips Sydney will be able to go on. We feel this might be the last one before she is debilitated and not able to go on anything. So we really want this to be special, we want this to be a wonderful time for her,” said Stenberg.
She’s organized a stay in a secluded home near Honolulu for seven family members, including Sydney and her son. But she’s worried her mixed vaccines may prevent her from travelling to the state. Stenberg had AstraZeneca as her first shot, then Moderna as her second.
“I decided to get it because number one, I have an extremely disabled husband and the sooner I could get a vaccination, the safer he would be. And also I took the advice from the health officer to get the first one available,” said Stenberg.
The U.S. is expected to require proof of vaccination for international travellers by early November, and it’s unclear if it will accept AstraZeneca, which is not approved in that country, or allow anyone with mixed doses to enter.
“I’m taking everyone, and I’m in a situation where if they don’t accept mixed doses or AstraZeneca, we will have to pivot and do something totally different and lose money on what we booked so far,” said Stenberg. Her travel insurance would only refund 70 per cent of the trips cost.
Other provinces, including Alberta and Quebec, are allowing people who got a first dose of AstraZeneca followed by an mRNA shot to get a third booster in order to travel.
“It certainly would be nice if in situations like this that could be available, especially if they have doses that are going to expire or they are going wanting. I would really appreciate the opportunity to come forward and get that,” said Stenberg.
But provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said that won’t be an option in B.C., at least for now.
“These things are in flux around the world. So no, we are not systematically providing people with a third dose because we know things are changing,” said Henry, who appears confident British Columbian travellers with mixed doses with be accommodated.
But Stenberg is worried there won’t be a ruling in time for her trip. “To ask the U.S. to quickly make a decision on what vaccines they’re going to recognize is beyond my control,” she said.
As for her decision to get a first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine, rather than waiting longer for mRNA?
“I don’t regret doing it because first and foremost, it is to keep everyone healthy. So I’m glad I did it,” she said. “I’m just sorry that it’s developed into this situation.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.