Changes to 2nd COVID-19 vaccine dose appointments leave N.L. public scrambling to rebook

A move to push first and second COVID-19 vaccine appointments in Newfoundland and Labrador closer togetherhas left the public scrambling, and frustrated, over lack of availability and planning in the Eastern Health region.

Last week, thousands of second dose appointments were cancelled by the health authority as it prepared toallow those seeking a second shot to book an earlier date.

During Wednesday's COVID-19 briefing Dr. Janice Fitzgerald saidstarting Monday, everyone who had a second-dose appointment scheduled on or after Aug. 6 will need to rebook an appointment for an earlier date. However, the vaccine appointment booking website updated only a day later, leaving people scrambling to rebook their second shot.

"During Wednesday's briefing we were told that second doses could be made next Monday. Now I see they changed that. I am not impressed as I had an appointment for Aug 19 that was cancelled and now I can't even rebook as no spaces are open. Now more than 16 weeks for me. Not happy," tweeted Todd Boland.

As Monday rolled around, other people noted onsocial media that there were no appointments left in the St. John's area for thePfizer-BioNTech vaccine,and expressed frustration with errors on the online booking website. All four general appointment locations in the capital are fully booked as of Monday.

But more Moderna availabilitieswere popping up Monday, and according to the National Advisory Committee on Immunizationit's safe to mix with afirst dose ofPfizer-BioNTech. The organization also recommends anyone who received a first dose of Astrazeneca-Oxford shouldseek Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna for their second dose.

"The most important thing is to get your second dose as soon as possible. Sodon't delay receiving your second dose just to get the same vaccine you received for your first dose," Fitzgerald said Wednesday.

Public health added new vaccination clinics for the metro area forModerna appointments starting July 5 inMount Pearl at the Glacier Arena.

Central Health will be adding more vaccination clinics in Gander, Grand-Falls Windsor and Lewisporte in the coming weeks. Booking began Monday for the Gander clinic, which will open Thursdayat the Steele Community Centre.

"These clinics are for individuals that had their first dose at least eightweeks ago and have not yet secured a second dose appointment," the health authority said in a media release, adding people will know when clinics are full when there are no longer any available appointment slots on the booking website.

"People should continue to check Central Health's website as we are continuing to add clinics weekly."

CBC News has requested an interview with Eastern Health and the Department of Health to answer questions about additional bookings in St. John's and vaccination availability for children.

Only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has beenapproved for people between 12 and 17 years old.

An Eastern Health spokesperson said more than 25,000 Moderna vaccine appointments were added to thebooking website Monday. Additional second-dose appointmentsat all locations across the region are being added as shipments arrive and doses become available, the spokesperson added.

Shortly after 4 p.m. on Monday, Eastern Health tweeted that second-dose appointments at other clinics will be addedas doses become available. The health authority said it's encouragingpeople to continue to check the booking website, but did not directly address the lack of Pfizer appointment slots.

There were no updates for COVID-19 case numbers over the weekend or on Monday, a provincial governmentholiday.

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