A St. John’s woman is seeking answers after being told that the COVID vaccine she requires is not currently available in the province.

Michele Penz has multiple sclerosis – an autoimmune disease – and requires a COVID vaccine each year to protect her.

Because she started taking the Pfizer vaccine, she’s been advised by her neurologist to stick with that brand, but she’s been told the only vaccine currently available is Moderna.

Penz, who is originally from Vancouver, says she is more or less house-bound without the protection afforded by a vaccine.

“It’s very, very important with a situation like MS…that you are consistent with the kind of COVID vaccine that you get,” says Penz.

“I’m desperately trying to get a Pfizer vaccine so that I can resume going to health care appointments, being in public situations, and this is proving to be very problematic.”

Department Responds to Questions

The Department of Health says the province carries both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines, however the availability of each may vary by clinic and location based on supply, demand and distribution.

The department says a specific brand may not always be available at every vaccination site. It says both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines and are considered safe and effective and there is “no recommendation for one product over the other.”