On Air Now More Rob At Work Noon - 3:55pm
Now Playing Blondie Heart Of Glass

Niagara Health to Fight for Reduced Interval Between Doses When Supply Increases

Niagara Health has announced that in accordance with the province's new vaccination schedule, the period between first and second vaccine doses will change from 35 days to four months.

The announcement was made by the province this weekend. 

The change will take effect tomorrow, but applies to those who received their first dose before March 10th at Niagara Health's clinic in St. Catharines. 

For those in long-term care, retirement and First Nations elder care homes, the interval is 21-27 days between doses. 

The provincial government made the call to extend time between doses due to a limited supply of vaccines as well as increasing evidence indicating that the first doses of both Pfizer and Moderna remain highly effective several weeks after the first shot. 

Niagara Health Executive Vice President Linda Boich says when there are more doses available, the organization will fight for a shortened time between shots. 

"Niagara Health will continue to advocate for the time between doses to be reduced should supply of  vaccine increase in the future. Anyone who is awaiting their second dose at our clinic will receive a revised notification about their new second dose appointment."

Niagara Health is in the process of developing a mass immunization plan for the general public, which is expected to start later this month. 

At the moment, only Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are available in the region. 

More from Local News