The health unit is switching up vaccine usage for adults.

Effective immediately the Thunder Bay District Health Unit will be using the Moderna (SpikeVax) vaccine for those that are 30 and older. This is for first, second or booster shots.

The Pfizer BioNtech (Comirnaty) vaccine will stay as the main shot for those 12 to 29 years old.

The change is because the Province isn’t sending out more Pfizer shots until sometime in January.

In a written statement, Dr Janet DeMille is the local Medical Officer of Health, wrote

There are no issues with receiving Moderna for first, second, or booster doses.

In fact, there is some indication that Moderna induces a stronger immune response and may provide longer protection. I strongly encourage everyone to get the vaccine as soon as they can, and to get Moderna even if they have previously received Pfizer vaccine.

This supply issue does not affect the pediatric Pfizer vaccine, which is used for 5 to 11 year-olds only. Supplies of this vaccine are stable provincially and locally.