Thread by @MPaiMD

A word on #AstraZeneca (making the decision about your 2nd shot, and when the 🤬 you can get your 2nd shot)... 1/x

The frustration of Ontarians who got AZ for dose #1, and now feel hung out to dry since their 2nd dose hasn't been accelerated, is palpable. Think the insistence on a 12 week gap isn't science based? You're right. It sucks, and it's scary (esp if you're in a hotspot!) 2/x

I have yet to meet a scientist or health care professional who thinks that a 12 week gap between AZ and mRNA is carved in stone. And NACI - the TRUE vaccine experts - have already said 4-12 weeks is fine. Their recommendations should hold a lot of weight. 3/x

If you received AZ, know that many of these knowledgeable experts are advocating for narrowing the window between shots, ESPECIALLY in hotspots, where we know that getting 2 doses in fast is most important. We need a nimble vaccine strategy in the face of the delta variant. 4/x

So hang tight. People are working hard to encourage the government to make the right decision ASAP, and help get us to a better place, faster. While you wait for dose 2, continue to follow PH guidance re: masks, distance. Avoid the indoors. Enjoy the outdoors safely. 5/x

Use your time to reflect on how this pandemic has been handled. Frustrated about decisions that weren't science based, that made inequity worse, that harmed the people that any humane society should protect and prioritize? Bookmark that. There's an election next year. 6/x

Maybe call @fordnation at 416-325-1941 and add your voice to the chorus that's demanding a vaccine rollout (and a pandemic recovery) that protects ALL Ontarians. #GenXZeneca is the last generation that grew up phoning, not emailing or texting. Let's use our telephonic skills. 7/x

And if you're on the fence about what vaccine to pick, check out this decision aid! Another team effort from docs, scientists, pharmacists, and patient partners. We'll walk you through the AZ vs mRNA decision so you can decide what's right for you. uwaterloo.ca/pharmacy/sites… 8/x

Big ❤️ to @AndreaChittle, @SabiVM, @heysciencesam, @NoahIvers, @DrSamiraJeimy, @PharmacistMama, @tara_kiran, @hwitteman, @DrKateJMiller & our super efficient UWaterloo contingent, @kgrindrod and @adrianwpoon. You guys are my pandemic silver lining. 9/x

Have a good weekend, Ontario. Stay safe. Get vaccinated. Better days ahead. 10/10

Okay, just one more. It's a privilege to be in the same orbit as Dr @Tania_WattsUofT, one of this country's foremost immunologists. People like to hand wave about "science," but Dr. Watts' thoughts on this issue are the SCIENCE (+ expertise + experience).