Thread by @ScottBilleck

Manitoba's vaccine supply projection is now estimating 2,277
injections per day for March, up around 600 from last week's estimates.

Current daily capacity is now at 12,499 (goal is 20,000 by April 1).

Vaccination task force technical briefing underway. Still supply scarcity. They haven't been given a confirmed date from the feds on AstraZeneca. Estimates for Pfizer/Moderna are unchanged.

The bump in injections per day in March (up to 2,277 from 1,680ish) is due to FIT vaccinations being added.

No choice of vaccines. When you are eligible, the first vaccine available to you is the one you get.

The task force says all vaccines approved are effective against preventing infection, and severe outcomes if you are infected.

Being immunized with one type of
vaccine now will not prevent you
from getting another type of COVID-19 vaccine in the future,
when supplies are greater

Although the initial clinical trial results showed the AstraZeneca vaccine to be moderately effective (around 60%), subsequent analysis of the data shows that longer intervals between dose 1 and dose 2 (12 weeks) resulted in effectiveness >80%.

Real world data from the United
Kingdom in those 70+ are showing single dose effectiveness >70% and a significant reduction in hospitalization and death

Johnson and Johnson vaccine likely the next to be approved.

Novavax, Medicago and Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline are all anticipated later in the year.

AstraZeneca is being expected mid-March in the province, but numbers are still unknown.

The province says significant protection started about 12-14 days after the first dose and may be above 90% in the clinical trials for Pfizer and Moderna

These are mRNA vaccines. AstraZeneca is a DNA vaccine.

But task force officials say all vaccines are effective, despite their differing types. Cites different testing conditions. Real world data is showing other numbers as well.

Real world effectiveness against variants of concern is evolving. Some data show no change in effectiveness, other data show decreased effectiveness.

the DNA vaccine (AstraZeneca) turns into mRNA after getting into a cell and then stimulates the immune system.

AstraZeneca effectiveness is significantly higher than what it was in clinical trials, based on emerging real world evidence.

Optimal interval for dose 2 is 12 weeks for >80% effectiveness.

In some cases, AstraZeneca has shown to be more effective than Pfizer.

The takeaway here is that all three approved vaccines are very effective, and more effective than what they showed in clinical trials.

The task force says they are not seeing a lot when it comes to adverse reactions. Says it is being monitored like no other medical intervention.

Low allergic reactions, and the province says they are ready to deal with the anaphylaxis that very few will experience.

Task force reiterates that the best vaccine for you is the one you can get.

Data growing when it comes to lengthening space between 1st and 2nd doses. Dr. Reimer says she will be speaking more on this at 12:30.

Dr. Reimer says not a lot of concern for people gaming the system by trying to wait for a different vaccine, trying for a different injection site, etc.

Reiterates that the best vaccine for you is the one you can get first.

Dr. Reimer says people in the 50-65 age range will be the first people to get the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Seems like messaging for people trying to jump the queue worked better this time. Fewer ineligible people calling in for general population vaccinations.

AZ eligibility will include people under 65 with liver failure, on dialysis and other higher risk issues.