The messages could/should have been clearer. Yes. However, characterizing this as a "flip-flop" feels disingenuous. Strang has continually stated there should be informed, individual choice. As well as noting the difference in efficiency b/w the vaccine options.
https://twitter.com/victorialwalton/status/1392829702683963394
When offered the shipment of AZ in early March, Strang and Rankin were criticized heavily for taking a pragmatic approach and weighing the risks/benefits. Strang is on record at that point as saying there were unknowns and it was not wise to rush to a decision.
"On Mar 2, Nova Scotia was offered 13,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine...Dr. Strang did not immediately say if the province would be accepting the vaccine and mentioned some issues, logistical and ethical, he had with accepting the doses at this time." katynotie.wordpress.com/2021/03/03/why…
The decision was made to accept, and based on the initial skepticism, it was safe to assume that Public Health would be monitoring the situation closely. It was also safe to assume public health could shift gears if science/research presented new information on AZ. And it has.
I am confident that none of the leaders at the helm of Ship COVID Rapid Response would have provided AZ if they didn't believe that the benefits greatly outweighed the risks. However, the risks were there. And now we know they are a wee bit higher than initially understood.
If we are in a position to deliver more effective vaccines with lower risks to individuals, they by all means this is what we should be doing. What AZ recipients need to hear is that they showed up for their communities, the risks are minimal, and they're much safer against COVID
As an observer, I recall the backlash after Rankin was interviewed by Evan Solomon. It was preposterous that the Premier would hesitate to take this shipment.
https://twitter.com/CTV_PowerPlay/status/1366882433908490242?s=20
If anything has flip-flopped, it's been our response to public health decisions. This is understandable. We're an emotional mess. My point is that if we are being fair, leadership in NS has always erred on the side of being overly reactive rather than demonstrating complacency.
(To be clear - I do not think it was preposterous, but the general sentiment was that his wavering was mind boggling.)
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