A vial containing some of the first 500,000 of the 2 million AstraZeneca coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine doses Canada has obtained through a deal with the Serum Institute of India in partnership with Verity Pharma at a facility in Milton, Ontario, Canada March 3, 2021 REUTERS / Carlos Osorio
Canada reported a second case of rare low platelet blood clots after immunization with AstraZeneca’s (AZN.L) COVID-19 vaccine in a week on Saturday, while it said it still recommends the use of the injection.
The person who experienced the very rare event has been treated and recovered, the Canadian Department of Health said in a statement, adding that the person lives in the province of Alberta.
Based on the available evidence, Canada continues to maintain that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its potential risks, the statement said.
Canadian health authorities “will continue to closely monitor the use of all COVID-19 vaccines and investigate and assess new safety concerns,” the statement said.
Canada reported an initial blood clotting related to the vaccine on Tuesday, and a day later, after an evaluation, health authorities said they would not restrict the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. read more
A separate advisory board had previously recommended that Canada stop offering the vaccine to people under 55. That panel is reviewing its advice.
Canada has stepped up its vaccination campaign, but still has a smaller percentage of its population vaccinated than dozens of other countries, including the United States and Great Britain.
Amid a surging third wave of infections, Canada’s most populous province, Ontario, announced new public health restrictions on Friday, including closing provincial borders to domestic travelers. read more
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