A letter to the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada and Mr. Christian Dubé, Quebéc Minister of Health and Social Services

Ifollowed your advice as the Prime Minister of Canada and the Quebec Minister of Health and had my first vaccination for Covid-19 as soon as it was available to me. It seems I was foolish to do so!

Both levels of government clearly said the vaccines were equally good and that best vaccine was the first one you could get. Based on that advice I had no problem when on March 17th I was told I was getting Astrazeneca and according to the document provided to me at the time received: “Vaccin AZ Covid-19”

On May 29th I went for a second dose and once again was given “Astrazeneca”. I have since received by text from the Quebec government a document titled Proof of Covid-19 vaccination. That document has listed for my first dose the Covishield vaccine, which I understand to be a copy of Astrazeneca but produced in India. I was not provided with this information at the time of my shot.

While it is great to have some protection against Covid-19, I am wondering why I was given a vaccination with a product that is not recognized by much of the western world. I enjoy traveling and when that is possible again I hope to visit the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. Unfortunately for me the U.S. does not currently recognize the Astrazeneca vaccine and France for example recognizes Astrazeneca but not versions of it made in India.

Will I and many more in Canada like me be able to obtain a third shot and perhaps fourth of a vaccine that allows me to be fully vaccinated with a recognized vaccine which allows for travel outside of Canada?

Looking forward to a prompt and positive reply to this serious question.