Breaking news just now on CP24.. Health Canada has extended the expiration date of the AZ shots on hand to July 1st 2021.
No word on how that decision was arrived at.
But I agree, the government is not making me feel confident that it's got MY best interests in mind. Really bad optics here.
This is really poor and irresponsible management of the process. I think I would just rather take my chances with a second dose of Pfizer now.
I feel all of this. Our government was desperate to get the vaccine into our arms, so they pressed and sent messaging that we just need to do our part and get our shot, no matter which was offered.
FIRST...they weren't sure about having enough vaccine for those who got the AZ. Then the talk of mixing vaccines. Ok...fine...I don't really have much choice if that's all that we have.
THEN...more shipments in big numbers finally starts to arrive about 2 -3 weeks after all of us Generation X run out and get " what we can" and then the younger populations are able to get theirs now. And those of us who received that shot of the AZ wondering if we would have some of the side effects that we could have avoided, could have had a different vaccine.
NOW....Those of us Generation X that ran out and received our first shot out of desperation to hopefully get the ball rolling to get this virus under some type of control (because we are soooooo done with the stress of working in higher positions in covid, still have kids at home/in university, older parents and if we are lucky even older grandparents) are now being told... we are extending the shelf life/expiry date of the vaccine you received. Even though we are pretty sure that it will have the same efficacy, and it's only a few weeks past it's expiry, we think it's still " good " for you to use
I'm sorry, I have tried to keep an open mind about this and try to remain positive about it, but this had done nothing but make me angrier and frustrated with our government officials. They have flipped and flopped on every single thing since DAY 1 that this virus had been first reported. It is a complete mess and total circus of information.
This is not a piece of food or medication where we know the efficacy of it's shelf life. Chances are it's fine. I'm tired, and completely done with all this now. This was the straw that broke the camels back for me.