BIRD TALK

Like many Canadians, I received the AstraZeneca vaccine, which apparently is not approved in the U.S. Without documentation showing that one has been vaccinated with a U.S.-approved COVID vaccine, many of us may be unable to enter shops, restaurants, bars, clubs and other venues in the U.S. From what I read, the only option is to have a weekly COVID test with a negative result to gain entry, but that is unrealistic, especially for long stays in the U.S. And that avenue also may end, as we are starting to see a tightening of the rules under this U.S. administration. Is there any hope of the U.S. Government recognizing that AstraZeneca is a safe and effective vaccine that should qualify for the “vaccine passport”?

Elaine Sturgeon, Penticton, BC

Ed.: We almost hate to comment on COVID because all of the rules and regulations are changing so quickly. Individual provinces, states and countries all have their own “directives.” Also, the airlines and cruise lines all have varied rules. I recommend going directly to their websites to get the latest ‘Hot off the Presses” rules and regulations.

Regarding AstraZeneca, I can say that the U.S. has agreed to allow anyone to enter with this vaccine and/or any vaccine approved by the World Health Organization or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. AstraZeneca IS approved by the WHO. We have had no reports of any vaccines being rejected by restaurants, clubs or any other venues in the U.S.

On a final note, mixed vaccines are readily accepted and some say that these provide even better protection against the 41 different strains of COVID. They are starting to call the new strains COVID 21 instead of COVID 19 and I suspect that we will see COVID 22 before long. It is all a fine example of a Catch-22.