AstraZeneca limited to those over 55
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia will restrict the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to people over 55 as concerns mount about the rare but serious incidence of blood clots in people who’ve had the vaccine.
On Tuesday, Reuters reported 31 people in Germany developed clots in the brain after getting their AstraZeneca shot, nine of whom died. In 19 of the cases, there were low levels of platelets, the cells involved in blood clotting. With the exception of two cases, all were women between the ages of 20 and 63. The two men were 36 and 57 years old.
Blood clot cases have been reported in other European countries such as Norway and France, although in lower numbers than Germany. More than 17 million people have been vaccinated with AstraZeneca in the European Union and Britain.
There have been no reports in Canada.
“At this time a definitive link between the blood clotting events (and AstraZeneca) has not been made but it is very suggestive the evidence to date,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, at a news briefing Tuesday with Premier Iain Rankin.
Canada’s national advisory committee on immunization has recommended an immediate pause in the use of AstraZeneca vaccine in all individuals under age 55 in Canada.
“This change does not mean that the Astra Zeneca vaccine isn’t safe or isn’t a good vaccine,” Strang said. “It means that we are seeing something rare in a certain subset of the population that we need to monitor and get more information about. Until we do that, the safest, most transparent thing to do is to limit the use of the vaccine. …
“I know that this is maybe scary for people especially if Nova Scotians have had their first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine already but we’re
fortunate that in Nova Scotia, our use of the AstraZeneca vaccine has been focused on those aged 60 to 64, which is well within the age range recommended for use.”
Anyone who has received the AstraZeneca shot should seek immediate medical attention if the following symptoms occur: shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling, persistent abdominal pain, sudden onset of severe persistent or worsening headaches or blurred vision and skin bruising other than that at the site of the vaccination.
"The response to AstraZeneca is exactly how the safety system is meant to work," Strang said. "When we have a serious safety signal, we’ll take precautionary steps and
continue to monitor evolving science and evidence."
THREE NEW CASES
Nova Scotia reported three new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
A central health zone case is a close contact of a previous case. A northern zone case is under investigation and an eastern zone case is related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. The number of active cases is unchanged at 24.
MORE MODERNA COMING
As of March 29, 94,373 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 25,102 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.
Last week, over 27,000 doses were delivered, about three times the number delivered the week before, Rankin
said at the briefing.
There are about 10,000 appontments available (out of 78,000) for Pfizer and Moderna shots at community clinics and pharmacies. The premier encouraged people over 75 to book online at https://novascotia.ca/ coronavirus/book-your-vaccination-appointment/ or by phone at 1-833-797-7772 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 7 days a week).
A shipment of Moderna vaccine, which is also used in the long-term-care immunization program, is expected later this week.
AstraZeneca is available for people aged 60 to 64 at a participating pharmacy clinic or primary care provider clinic. You can only book your appointment online or by calling the toll-free line. Do not call the pharmacy or doctor directly.