Horgan rolls up his sleeve for first dose of Astrazeneca
Premier encourages residents to get jab amid hesitancy over brand's vaccine
Premier John Horgan received his first dose of the Astrazeneca vaccine at a pharmacy in Victoria on Friday.
Horgan shared his experience on social media, including a photo of him wearing a mask, sleeve rolled up, getting a jab in his left arm.
“It was easy, safe and I'm feeling good,” Horgan said on Twitter. “I encourage all British Columbians to get one when it's their turn.”
Earlier this week, Horgan, 61, said he was waiting his turn in the age-based program.
Horgan said he and his wife, Ellie, registered for the vaccine through the province's Get Vaccinated portal, which is for British Columbians who will get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine through the age-based vaccination program.
However, he also told reporters that he would have “no hesitation whatsoever” to receive the Astrazeneca vaccine.
Since B.C. suspended the use of the Astrazeneca vaccine for people under 55 due to blood clot concerns, the province has used its supply to vaccinate people between 55 and 65.
An Angus Reid Institute poll this week found a majority of unvaccinated Canadians say they are uncomfortable with the idea of receiving the Astrazeneca vaccine.
Canadian provinces, acting on a recommendation from Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization, suspended the use of the Oxford-astrazeneca vaccine in people under age 55 last month after data from Europe suggested the risk of blood clots was potentially as high as one in 100,000 compared to the one in a million risk previously believed.
The news has had a significant impact on the public's confidence in the vaccine, with just 41 per cent of poll respondents saying they would be comfortable receiving the Astrazeneca jab.
Of the 54 per cent who responded they would be uncomfortable receiving the Astrazeneca vaccine, 23 per cent said they would reject the brand outright.