Cassandra Szklarski
Retired nurse Donna Lessard is shown in a recent handout photo provided by Lessard. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Donna Lessard MANDATORY CREDIT February 07, 2021 - 4:00 AM
TORONTO - At age 70, retired nurse Donna Lessard can expect to be towards the front of the line for a COVID-19 vaccine when supply and distribution expands in coming months.
But instead, sheâs opted for an unproven vaccine candidate she can have now â a two-dose product by the Quebec City-based biopharmaceuticalMedicago currently running Phase 2 clinical trials.
Because the trials are blinded, the Montrealer doesnât know if last month she received a second dose of the prospective vaccine or a placebo, and may not know for a year â well after most Canadians are expected to receive one of several licensed vaccines.