Pharmacists raising concerns over vaccine shopping – again

Pharmacists are raising concerns over an uptick in so-called vaccine shopping, saying people are cancelling appointments if their preferred brand isn’t being offered.

“People are walking away from appointments and demanding Pfizer so we have an uphill battle if you will on that front,” says Justin Bates, CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association.

“The fact that Moderna experienced early on in the vaccine campaign supply interruptions many people received Pfizer for first and second dose so if they’re reluctant to move to Moderna you have larger cohort of people looking of Pfizer but at the end of the day an mRNA vaccine equals an mRNA vaccine. There are some differences in the formulation but when it comes to effectiveness and safety, they are identical.”

At most mass vaccination clinics, Moderna is being offered because there is ample supply and due to shipping delays with Pfizer, what is currently in stock is being rationed for those 18–to-29 years old. The reason for that is due to the lower risk of side effects in that particular age group when it comes to the Pfizer vaccine.

“With the rationing it makes sense to prioritize the 30 and over for Moderna but you are going to start to see that change too if we continue to see delays in shipment for Pfizer. So I think we are going to have to be agile,” says Bates.

At some mass vaccination clinics, people are walking away once they learn that only Moderna will be offered to them – something that was also seen back in the spring. Bates says there is no need for such hesitation.

“Mixing vaccines is showing a higher immunity response and better protection. So if you look at the data, mixing is actually a good thing.”

Another alarming trend when it comes to the latest vaccine rollout is the significant drop off in the number of 5-to-11 years olds rolling up their sleeve. Since appointments opened almost seven weeks ago only 45 percent have at least one dose and over the last three weeks fewer than 5,000 children a day are being vaccinated.

“It’s an area where we need to spend more time increasing public health messaging and various influencers in medical community to continue to talk about the benefits of vaccinating the 5-11 year old’s particularly as we look to reopen schools,” says Bates.

The push to get teachers and childcare workers vaccinated is now in high-gear with 10 new locations being announced across the GTHA. These clinics will administer boosters, seven days a week and are appointment only.