Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Doctors support giving AstraZeneca to under 55

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Apr, 2021 08:07 PM
  • Doctors support giving AstraZeneca to under 55

Doctors say the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine should be offered to Canadians in a wider age range as COVID-19 infections soar in many parts of the country.

Provinces limited eligibility for that vaccine to those 55 and older, after a small number of cases of an unusual and serious blood clotting condition appeared in younger people — mostly women — who had received a shot.

Dr. Daniel Gregson with the University of Calgary says the age limit can easily be dropped to as low as 35.

He says uncertainty has been planted in peoples' minds about getting AstraZeneca, but they do things that are riskier on a daily basis without a second thought.

Dr. Susy Hota with the University Health Network in Toronto says she'd also support dropping the age limit, so long as no other worrying side-effects arise and recipients are aware of the risk, however small.

She says given the surge in case counts and the impact it's having on Ontario hospitals, the vaccine should be used more.

Health Canada has deemed the vaccine safe, saying the benefits outweigh the risks.

The National Committee on Immunization has not yet changed its recommendation that the shot only be offered to those 55 and up.

But the decision ultimately rests with provinces, and officials in Alberta and Quebec have both said they are discussing a change.

MORE National ARTICLES

Opposition urged to speed up net-zero carbon bill

Opposition urged to speed up net-zero carbon bill
If debate does not end today, Wilkinson asks opposition leaders to consider supporting the government's use of what he calls "the parliamentary tools available" to force an end to second reading debate.

Opposition urged to speed up net-zero carbon bill

P.1 likely highest in B.C. due to testing: doctor

P.1 likely highest in B.C. due to testing: doctor
Overall, just under 60 per cent of daily cases involve variants, including the one first associated with South Africa, though those cases are negligible compared with P.1 and the variant first identified in the United Kingdom.

P.1 likely highest in B.C. due to testing: doctor

Man dead and a woman left with serious injuries after a shooting in Chilliwack

Man dead and a woman left with serious injuries after a shooting in Chilliwack
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has now taken over the case. The man and woman are known to each other. 

Man dead and a woman left with serious injuries after a shooting in Chilliwack

Canada Border Services Agency disrupts smuggling attempt after discovering 64 bricks of suspected cocaine

Canada Border Services Agency disrupts smuggling attempt after discovering 64 bricks of suspected cocaine
On March 18, 2021, a commercial driver entered Canada in a tractor-trailer carrying personal care products. During the secondary examination, border services officers used a wide range of detection tools and technology to inspect the goods, and noticed anomalies. 

Canada Border Services Agency disrupts smuggling attempt after discovering 64 bricks of suspected cocaine

Fortin aims to provide more vaccine predictability

Fortin aims to provide more vaccine predictability
Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin said 855,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine that were to have arrived last week are now in the country and distribution should wrap up Thursday. 

Fortin aims to provide more vaccine predictability

1205 COVID19 cases for Thursday

1205 COVID19 cases for Thursday
Dr. Bonnie Henry says the Vancouver Coastal region is leading all other health authorities with about 70 per cent of P.1 variant cases because of a large number of cases linked to the resort town of Whistler.

1205 COVID19 cases for Thursday