During the height of the global pandemic, the vaccines were starting to roll in very slowly and then distributed in a tightly controlled fashion to the most compromised and vulnerable individuals first. People scrambled to get their vaccines in an effort to stay safe. The Canadian Government said “the first vaccine is the best vaccine. Take the first one offered to you.  Don’t wait.”  As such, millions of Canadians took the Astra Zeneca vaccine. Then, shortly thereafter, there were concerns about the vaccine on the world stage - not the efficacy- but the health risk of developing life threatening blood clots. As such, in early June, the Federal Government made a strong recommendation to mix the first dose of Astra Zeneca with a MRNA 2nd dose, either Pfizer or Moderna. At the same time, they also promoted that mixing two MNRA doses was also acceptable. They assured citizens that this (a) was researched to be safe (b) was very effective against Covid with a stronger immune response (c) eliminated the risk of developing blood clots and (d) was a common practice to mix different types of vaccine in the health care industry.

We listened to our leaders. We did what they urged us to do. We did the right thing and got vaccinated quickly, with the first vaccine offered, and we didn’t question the research they relied upon nor the integrity of their message.

What we did not know at the time, however, was the impact this decision would have on our ability to travel outside our country as “fully vaccinated” Canadians in the months and potentially years ahead. Now millions of Canadians may face themselves barred from entry into the USA and elsewhere. 

Many of those affected own property in the USA that they will not be able to visit, maintain, etc. Millions of dollars each year are spent in the USA and elsewhere by our visitors, particularly the snowbirds, who leave the north for an extended period of time. Trips have been arranged and paid for, rents have been pre-paid, flights have been booked, and travel insurance secured. All of this with minimal or no ability to cancel without costly implications. It should be noted that even where cancellation insurance WAS purchased, it likely won’t cover the inability to travel because of mixed vaccines. This issue wasn’t even on the radar when many of these trips were booked so far in advance. 

Our fully vaccinated travellers are safe…twelve times safer than unvaccinated individuals according to recent statistics. The risk of hospitalization and ICU is minimal. The burden we might impose on another country’s health care system is negligible. The research clearly shows that mixing doses is safe and effective. The evidence is in the numbers. 

It should be noted that we are not signing this petition because we are elitist or feel entitled… nor are are tossing all caution to the wind. We are very aware of the dark nature of this pandemic and the risks associated with travel.  We take travel seriously and embrace all precautions required of us. We don’t go south to party with people of unknown vaccination status. We simply enjoy the weather, go to the pool, the grocery store, the golf course and otherwise pretty much keep to ourselves in a safe and responsible manner. We follow local, regional and federal protocols. For many, travelling south is for medical and mobility reasons that preclude us from facing harsh winter conditions at home. For others, it is a necessity to properly manage a 2nd home. And for some, it’s a mental health issue. 

Please sign this petition if you, or anyone you know, is impacted by this situation. Please make the Canadian government accountable for fixing this with their international counterparts … and quickly. Please urge the US government, the CDC and the FDA to embrace the mixed vaccine research and the positive results noted worldwide to date.  Your vote counts. Every vote counts. We need our concerns to reach the ears of government, here and internationally! 

Respectfully Submitted…