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Two Canadian retirees are threatening to sue the Government of Ontario, saying health officials broke promises to them when they changed the wait time between first and second COVID-19 vaccinations from 21 days to four months.
The pair of retired medical professionals, aged 79 and 83, allege in a March 29 notice of claim issued to federal and provincial health authorities that they were tricked into getting the vaccine under false pretenses, the National Post reports.
They said the Government of Ontario is responsible for “breach of contract, detrimental reliance and medical battery” because it suddenly changed the mandated wait time between COVID-19 vaccine doses.
The duo said they initially gave consent for their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in early March when guidelines said it would be administered in “2 doses given 21 days apart.”
However, they said their appointments were cancelled days later after a new directive was suddenly issued by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization mandating four months between doses.
“The province broke the promise that was made both in writing and orally at the vaccination site,” the notice of claim reads, according to the National Post.
The claim was reportedly made out to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and the federal and Ontario ministers of health.
The National Post reported that the letter is not an official threat to sue, but does promise escalation if the two retirees are not vaccinated fully in a timely fashion.
Canada is the only country in the world so far that has allowed a gap of four months between doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the National Post reported.
It is significantly longer than what is recommended by both pharma companies, however the government made the decision in order to make its limited stock of vaccines go further.
The notice of claim also reportedly pointed out that the National Advisory Committee on Immunization that made the new and controversial mandate was mostly made up of pediatric specialists.
Normally this would make sense as most vaccines are administered to children, but COVID-19 vaccines are more targeted towards the elder population who are more at risk.
Meanwhile, as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to spread uncertainty worldwide, many consumers are now looking for clarity in legal assistance.
Coronavirus lawsuits have been filed in Canada over a variety of issues including failure to refund, business interruption insurance, cures and preventions, impact on employees, and more.
Check out our guide to the coronavirus outbreak that is continually updated with the latest in legal news.
Do you think the Canadian government should be giving doses four months apart? Let us know in the comments!
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6 thoughts onSeniors Threaten to Sue Ontario Over Lengthy Wait Between COVID-19 Vaccines
I agree with above comments, if the company who produces the vaccine says 21 days then who decided otherwise??! Putting us all at risk just because the government dropped the ball in securing enough vaccine!!! Despicable!!!
Is it possible to start a class action against the Canadian Government and National Advisory Committee on Immunization. 120 days between the dosses are not recommended by the manufacturer, the time period is not tested and it could have serious side effects, diminish immunity, and have long-lasting health issues. It is the same as if the Government feeds us with food long beyond its expiration day.
Ditto the above! An outrage!
The government shouldn’t be the ones to decide anything to do with medical decisions. I had the first Pfizer shot on March 19th & the second should be April 10 according to the manufacturers. To have to wait 3 or 4 months is stupid to my way of thinking. Why bother having any at all then especially with all the new variants coming up now. The government should be going by the manufacturers guidelines as they are the ones who know what their product will do.
HI!
I had a chance to talk to Pfizer about the time limit between the first and the second vaccination
I was informed that Pfizer recommends 21 days between the two shots,
however, CID who is the authority over the deceases recommends 42 days in the USA. extension for the vaccination.
I would like to ask NICA where do they get the idea for extending the second vaccination to 120 days. As far as I know, the US humans and the Canadian humans are to be the same and NICA has no right to flatly decide differently from the US counterpart.
Canadian elderly people are treated unfairly and their health is put at risk.
I agree that Gov should never be able to make these changes and if they do they should be held accountable for any impacts of their actions.