The Ford government is proceeding with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine but only as a second shot.

Starting next week, those who received on between March 10-19 may get a second at a 10-week interval – the recommended interval is 12-weeks – in order to use up the 45,000 doses that will expire May 31.

Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams, says they should reach out to the pharmacy or doctor’s office who gave it.

Pharmacies and doctors who participated in the pilot project at the time will also try to contact those eligible.

As for those who got a first dose after March 19, the province is still finalizing plans for their second shot.

A strategy will be ready before the 12-week interval when most who received an AstraZeneca dose become due for another.

”When the time comes to receive a second dose, everyone who received a first dose of AstraZeneca will receive either an AstraZeneca or mRNA vaccine for their second doses,” according to Dr. Williams.

Meanwhile, a record high 158,524 does of vaccines were administered in Ontario since Thursday.