By Chris Brown

Premier promoted choice on Facebook Q and A

Expert says Albertans should take the vaccine they’re offered first

Mar 12, 2021 | 4:20 PM

An infectious disease expert says Albertans should take whatever COVID-19 vaccine they are offered first.

Dr. Ameeta Singh with the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton says it is in everyone’s interest to get the first available shot so that the pandemic can end sooner.

Singh made her comments after Premier Jason Kenney told a Facebook question-and-answer session that people must have a choice.

Kenney says some have ethical concerns about receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine because it was developed from fetal stem cell lines.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops says if given a choice, people of that faith should choose the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Vaccines.

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But the bishops say getting any shot is permissible if there is no other option.

Kenney also says people should also be able to choose based on what they’ve learned about how effective each vaccine is.

Data show that all four of Canada’s approved vaccines are effective in preventing serious illness and death.

But it seems the Pfizer and Moderna shots are better at preventing mild illness.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 12, 2021.

The Canadian Press