British Columbia says its current supply of COVID-19 vaccines will remain available until new formulations are approved — unlike other provinces that say they’re following a federal directive to destroy existing doses.
A spokesperson for the provincial health officer says B.C. residents are encouraged to wait for the updated COVID vaccines if possible, but people can still get last season’s shots if they need them.
Officials in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan and say they are following instructions from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to dispose of vaccine stocks that target the XBB.1.5 variant, since updated formulations are expected this fall.
But a spokesperson for PHAC and Health Canada says that “transition plan” gives each province and territory the “flexibility” to ensure people can still access current shots until new ones are approved.
A provincial spokesperson in Manitoba says unused doses of the XBB.1.5 vaccine are no longer available in that province, but patients can still request one and be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Health Canada says it’s reviewing updated vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax on “an expedited basis” and expects to authorize them this fall if they meet safety and efficacy standards.
Infectious diseases physician Donald Vinh on COVID vaccine fall inventory.