Getting mixed messages on vaccines

“The best vaccine is the first one that’s offered to you,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. “That’s the one you should take, because that’s how we’ll get through this pandemic.”

That was on March 15, when Trudeau attended a news conference with Quebec Premier François Legault in Montreal to try and allay people’s fears about the safety of the Astrazeneca vaccine. Many Quebecers had refused a shot of AZ the weekend before because of the rare risk of blood clots.

We would hear those words of reassurance often in the weeks to follow.

It makes sense. If early vaccination is the key to getting COVID-19 under control and keeping communities safe, it’s prudent to take the first vaccine you can get, unless you have underlying health conditions that increase your risk, such as a history of severe allergic reactions.

But on Monday, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) changed the conversation, issuing an updated recommendation on the use of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine.

“At this time and based on current evidence, NACI recommends the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may be offered to individuals 30 years of age and older without contraindications, if the individual does not wish to wait for an MRNA vaccine and if the benefits outweigh the risk for the individual…,” the recommendation said.

“NACI continues to preferentially recommend authorized MRNA COVID-19 vaccines due to the excellent protection they provide and the absence of safety signals of concern…”

Like Astrazeneca, the Janssen vaccine has been linked to a blood-clotting condition in very rare cases, but was recently approved for Canadians over the age of 30. Health Canada has determined that the benefits of the Janssen vaccine outweigh the risks.

NACI’S new recommendation has some public health officials shaking their heads. Could it lead to confusion and hesitancy among Canadians still waiting for their first jab? Does it create the perception of a two-tiered vaccination program, with AZ and Janssen being seen as less safe?

The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPHA) fears so, and issued a statement of its own on Monday, saying it was disappointed with NACI’S messaging.

“While we recognize the importance of transparent information about the risks and benefits of approved vaccines, we believe that effective messaging is critical to instilling vaccine confidence…” it said.

“All approved vaccines in Canada are safe and effective. CPHA maintains that the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine far outweigh the potential risks, which continue to be very low. We continue to urge all Canadians to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible…”

If you have concerns about getting vaccinated, talk to your doctor. By all means, weigh the risks.

But before you give one vaccine a miss in favour of another, ask yourself: is it really worth the wait?