The U.S. land border is reopening, but Canadians with mixed vaccines are still in limbo
CBC
While it's welcome news that the U.S. will reopen its shared land border with Canada to non-essential travel in early November, some Canadians with mixed vaccine doses aren't celebrating just yet.
That's because at the same time the U.S. reopens the land border, it will start requiring that foreign land and air travellers entering the country be fully vaccinated.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) currently doesn't recognize mixed COVID-19 vaccines — such as one dose of AstraZeneca, and one dose of Pfizer or Moderna — and hasn't yet said if travellers with two different doses will be blocked from entry when the vaccine requirement kicks in.
"CDC will release additional guidance and information as the travel requirements are finalized later this month," said spokesperson Jade Fulce in an email on Wednesday.
Millions of Canadians have mixed vaccines, including Brian Butler of Bowmanville, Ont., who received one dose of Covishield, a brand of AstraZeneca, and one dose of Moderna. He has two daughters and two granddaughters in the U.S., and is frustrated that the country hasn't confirmed yet if his vaccine mix will be accepted.
"Just make a decision," he said. "Someone with a mixed vaccination I don't think is a threat of spreading COVID in the States."
On Wednesday, Dr. Ali Khan, former assistant U.S. Surgeon General, told CBC News he believes the U.S. will likely update its guidelines to accept mixed doses, because studies have shown mixing vaccines is effective.
