As conditions in Canada worsen during the third wave, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends the AstraZeneca vaccine for those who are 30-years-of-age and older.
After looking over the most recent international data, Health Canada says the benefits of this vaccine outweigh the potential risks.
NACI suggested provinces and territories adjust the age threshold for using the AstraZeneca vaccine based on their local epidemiology.
Canada’s chief medical health officers said Friday they support the move adding with earlier access to vaccination, they may be able to vaccinate people faster, protect the health care system, reduce severe illness and save lives.
Dr. Shelley Deeks says the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) now recommends that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine may be offered to people 30 and older “if the individual does not wish to wait for a mRNA vaccine.”#cdnpoli | #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/8P4dIcdFxT
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) April 23, 2021
The following is an excerpt from the Statement from the Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health issued on Friday:
“On April 12th, following a safety review, Health Canada concluded that there is a possible link between very rare blood clotting events accompanied by low platelets and the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, having assessed the latest available international data. As a result, the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine product monograph has been updated accordingly by Health Canada. Overall, Health Canada concluded that the benefits of this vaccine continue to outweigh the potential risks. This adverse event is being referred to as Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT) and is estimated to occur in one in every 100,000 to one in every 250,000 people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
Based on international evidence on VITT, as well the risk of severe outcomes of COVID-19 in Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has updated its recommendations on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The recommendations have been updated based on an assessment of the risk of VITT, COVID-19 exposure risk and the benefits of the vaccine in preventing serious COVID-19 disease for various age groups. NACI has lowered the age threshold for the AstraZeneca vaccine and has provided jurisdictions with considerations that will help us determine how to achieve the greatest benefits from the use of this vaccine. There are no clear risk factors for VITT; it occurs across a range of ages. However, age is a key factor in the risk of serious complications of COVID-19.”
