Ontario’s health minister says the length of time between COVID-19 vaccine doses could very well be shortened from the current wait of four months because of increased supply.

Christine Elliott says Ontario is expected to receive much larger quantities of the Pfizer vaccine throughout May than in recent weeks and months.

And if that happens, she explained that people will be contacted to arrange a new time for their second appointment.

Pfizer researchers recommend a 21-day interval between doses, 4 weeks is recommended for Moderna, and between 4 and 12 weeks is the suggested wait time for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Meantime, there is more talk about the possibility of mixing vaccine manufacturers for the first and second doses.

Ontario’s Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Barbara Yaffe says it’s likely the National Advisory Committee on Immunization will give the go ahead.

“We’ve asked for NACI to come back with expert opinions in mid-May with respect to what vaccines can be mixed in terms of the first and second shots and likely they will recommend that it is safe and effective to use a different vaccine for the second shot if you cannot get the one you got for the first one,” Yaffe explained.

The topic is getting attention because the current supply of AstraZeneca vaccines is being used up with people who got the AZ shot first wondering what they can expect to get for their second shot.

Dr. Brian Lichty is associate professor of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at McMaster University.

Interestingly, he told Zoomer Radio’s Fight Back with Libby Znaimer, combining vaccine doses can boost immune system.

Listen to the full conversation by clicking here.

Experts also say combining vaccines may better deal with the COVID variants of concern.