How to get a second shot of AstraZeneca in Hamilton
Hamilton's public health department doesn't know how much AstraZeneca vaccine is available in the city to those wanting a second dose.
The province made it possible to get a second COVID shot faster on Monday, shortening the interval between doses for AstraZeneca to eight weeks instead of the optimal 12 weeks.
The change comes as Ontario is in a race with the Delta variant which is expected to be the dominant strain this summer. Scarsin Forecasting predicted Delta could drive cases back up again in Hamilton in July if the fast-spreading variant also known as B. 1.617.2 isn't kept under control.
One dose of AstraZeneca provides only about 33 per cent protection against Delta while for mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna it's about 48 per cent.
The second dose makes a big difference providing between 60 per cent and 70 per cent protection against Delta for Astra Zeneca. It's nearly 90 per cent for Pfizer and Moderna.
We want to get people as fully protected as possible as quickly as possible with the Delta strain moving up in Ontario as it is," the province's associate chief medical officer of health Dr. Barbara Yaffe said Monday.
But only one clinic is giving out AstraZeneca vaccine in Hamilton - the David Braley Health Sciences Centre at 100 Main St W is administering second doses until June 23. A link to book into the clinic can be found at hamilton.ca/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-booking.
Its focus is on vaccinating those who got the first shot from primary care clinics in March and April.
But, because of perceived community need and demand, we also decided to expand eligibility for our clinic to the community at large, with a really positive response," said Dr. Katalin Ivanyi.
It's not clear if any pharmacies have AstraZeneca in Hamilton or the surrounding area. The closest pharmacy the province lists is in Toronto.
Distribution of vaccine to participating pharmacies is the responsibility of the province and Hamilton's Vaccine Task Force has no involvement," public health said in a statement.
When asked where Hamiltonians can get their second shot of AstraZeneca, public health provided no concrete answers.
Community members should contact the pharmacy or primary care provider to book an appointment where the first dose of AstraZeneca was received," said public health.
The province has made it clear it's not necessary to get a second dose from the same provider.
Demand for AstraZeneca was evident when hundreds lined up for a second shot at the West End Clinic during a pop up in May.
Those who got AstraZeneca can get an mRNA vaccine - such as Pfizer or Moderna - for their second dose.
Moderna has also been tough to find for a second shot. Winterberry Family Medicine in Stoney Creek has been the main clinic for that in Hamilton. Book at winterberrymedical.ca/
The province does list a number of local pharmacies giving out Moderna at covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations
Moderna has been in limited supply across the province," states public health. We are expecting further supply of Moderna in the coming week, and more appointments to be available in the coming days."
The city encourages those looking for first or second shots to check the provincial portal often at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/.
New appointments at local vaccine clinics are added frequently," said public health.
Joanna Frketich is a Hamilton-based reporter covering health for The Spectator. Reach her via email: jfrketich@thespec.com