Trudeau Government Embarks on Damage Control After Advisory Panel's Message on Vaccine Preference

Strategic Insights -

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his officials have been trying to clear the air after a federal advisory body, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), suggested that people might want to wait for mRNA vaccines, which have not been linked to a risk of very rare blood clots. Trudeau downplayed the recommendation, emphasizing that all vaccines approved by Health Canada are "safe and effective" and that Canadians should take any COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible. He also stated that the impacts of catching COVID are far greater and deadlier than potential side effects, which are rare.

Key Takeaways:

  • Trudeau and his officials attempted to clear the air after NACI's message on vaccine preference, avoiding talk of "preferred" shots and downplaying the recommendation.
  • NACI suggested that people might want to wait for mRNA vaccines due to their higher efficacy and lower risk of blood clots.
  • Trudeau emphasized that all vaccines approved by Health Canada are "safe and effective" and that Canadians should take any COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible.
  • Dr. David Naylor, co-chair of the National COVID-19 Immunity Task Force, questioned NACI's conclusion that the mRNA vaccines should be preferred, citing concerns that the comparison was "fraught" and that the benefits of mRNA vaccines may not outweigh the risks for all individuals.
  • Naylor suggested that NACI should recommend prioritizing vulnerable populations, at-risk groups, and essential workers for the "preferred" Pfizer and Moderna shots, rather than telling those most at risk to take an early AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson dose.
  • The government is facing criticism for creating confusion and concern among Canadians, with some accusing NACI's message of having cost an enormous amount of public trust.
  • Procurement Minister Anita Anand announced that Canada expects to have as many as 50 million vaccine doses by the end of June, alleviating concerns about vaccine availability.
  • Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner called on the Liberal government to clear up confusion around vaccines, emphasizing the need for clear, concise, and constant communications.

Statistics:

  • 50 million vaccine doses expected by the end of June (Procurement Minister Anita Anand)
  • 300,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine received in Canada (so far)
  • 2.3 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine distributed in Canada (so far)
  • 2 million more AstraZeneca doses expected by the end of June
  • 1 in 100,000 risk of blood clots from traditional viral vector vaccines (according to NACI)

Sources:

  • Toronto Star, "Trudeau takes on NACI's vaccine advice, tells Canadians to take any COVID-19 shot as soon as possible" (no date)
  • CBC, "Trudeau and Tam try to clarify vaccine advice after NACI's Monday message" (no date)
  • Toronto Star, "Naylor questions NACI's conclusion on mRNA vaccines" (no date)
  • Toronto Star, "Canada to receive 50 million vaccine doses by end of June, Anand says" (no date)