Thread by @BogochIsaac

1/ A few #COVID19 vaccine updates for Ontario:

The province will receive 250K doses of AstraZeneca this month, likely reserved for 2nd doses.

Also, it is likely that those who received 1st dose of AZ *may* get a 2nd dose of an mRNA vaccine.

(Photography: Jay Kerr @bombippy)

2/ The push for vaccine equity by pouring vaccines into 114 heavily impacted postal codes was largely successful (to date), with a higher proportion of people receiving a 1st dose in those areas compared to other neighborhoods.

Good news, but the job isn't done.

3/ Pharmacies will massively expand their administration of mRNA vaccines (Pfizer/Moderna) with an aim to have ~2500 online (in all regions) vaccinating by the end of the month.

This will significantly push our vaccination rates higher & help with the rollout.

4/ We need to rapidly include primary care (family doctors & nurse practitioners) in the rollout. There are plans to expand Moderna in primary care settings through May.

Could have been faster, but still a good move - they are experts in counseling, trust, lower barriers, etc.

5/ 2nd doses - see below.

I think there is room to expand this list but if that is the case, we slow down the first-dose-fast approach, and that ends the pandemic faster.

6/ Adolescents/young adults (is that the right word?) aged 12-17 will not be vaccinated until June.

It would be important to get 2nd doses into at-risk individuals (older, immunocompromised) faster.

Hopefully we have enough vaccine to simultaneously cover 2nd doses & youth.