'It's perfectly fine': York Region's top doctor explains mixing vaccines
Ontario recently changed the guidelines to allow mixing COVID-19 vaccine doses, but many residents still question whether or not it's wise.
York Region's top doctor promotes getting the first available shot.
"It is preferable to have the same brand of vaccine according to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, but when that is not readily available, it's perfectly fine and perfectly safe to have another mRNA vaccine," said Dr. Karim Kurji.
The region's medical officer of health said York Region received 29,000 Pfizer vaccines this week and is administering around 10,000 shots per day.
However, as shipments decrease, residents may have to accept the second dose of another vaccine brand.
"We do expect some reduced shipments as of July 5," said Dr. Kurji.
Around 23 per cent of the York Region population remains unvaccinated, according to Dr. Kurji. He hopes pop-up clinics and a presentation this week at council will push people to get their shot.
"This is a very significant issue for us because when we look at the deaths from COVID-19, the vast, vast majority of the individuals who are dying are the individuals who are not vaccinated," said Kurji.
With the emergence of the Delta COVID-19 variant in Ontario, Dr. Kurji stressed the importance of getting the vaccines to avoid severe symptoms from the virus. Although, after handling 44 cases of the variant in recent weeks, Dr. Kurji said most have recovered.
"I'm not particularity concerned about the Delta variant in York Region, frankly," said Dr. Kurji. "Given the fact that we have a high proportion of individuals receiving their first dose and we have about 32 per cent receiving their second dose and these numbers are rising."
Dr. Kurji said although York Region hasn't been hit hard by the Delta variant, areas such as Waterloo have, which he said is likely stalling the province's reopening plans because of the risk of it spreading.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.