Thursday, June 18, 2026
    ADVT 
    National

    Health Canada to add warning on AstraZeneca

    Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Mar, 2021 05:48 PM
    • Health Canada to add warning on AstraZeneca

    Health Canada is in the process of adding a warning about a rare possible side-effect of blood clots from the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine but is still certain the vaccine is safe and effective against COVID-19.

    The department's chief medical adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma says the warning comes on the heels of a similar warning in Europe last week but doesn't change Health Canada's analysis that the vaccine's benefits outweigh its risks.

    The European Medicines Agency last week amended its authorization of the vaccine to say there is not an overall increase in the risk of blood clots after getting the vaccine.

    However the EMA and Health Canada are still analyzing data to see if there is a reason the vaccine may have caused a very small number of blood clots in the vein that drains blood from the brain.

    Sharma says the warning in Canada would centre on what to look for, including intense or persistent headaches, shortness of breath and pain in the legs.

    Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Canada's vaccination program is moving much faster than before but warns there has been a 15 per cent rise in the number of new cases of COVID-19 in the last week.

    Prev Next

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Vancouver police look for witnesses to hit and run

    Vancouver police look for witnesses to hit and run
    Vancouver Police are asking witnesses to a hit-and-run in East Vancouver on Tuesday evening to contact police. The collision resulted in serious injuries to a cyclist.

    Vancouver police look for witnesses to hit and run

    Car-sharing service Turo says launch into B.C. market is 'imminent'

    Car-sharing service Turo says launch into B.C. market is 'imminent'
    Fans of car-sharing services in British Columbia are about to get another option within weeks of the closure of two other car-share businesses in the province.

    Car-sharing service Turo says launch into B.C. market is 'imminent'

    New cat virus found at B.C. SPCA prompts science journal publication

    New cat virus found at B.C. SPCA prompts science journal publication
    The outbreak of a fast-spreading disease at the SPCA's animal centre in Vancouver has led to the discovery of a new feline virus that affected 43 cats in B.C.

    New cat virus found at B.C. SPCA prompts science journal publication

    Two B.C. care homes get extra help to deal with COVID-19 outbreaks

    Two B.C. care homes get extra help to deal with COVID-19 outbreaks
    Specialized health teams have been sent to fight COVID-19 outbreaks at two Metro Vancouver long-term care homes. The Fraser Health Authority appointed a pandemic response director on Thursday at Langley Lodge, where more than 20 people have died from the virus in recent weeks.

    Two B.C. care homes get extra help to deal with COVID-19 outbreaks

    B.C. takes precautions as it moves to restart in-person court hearings

    B.C. takes precautions as it moves to restart in-person court hearings
    Courthouses and courtrooms around British Columbia are being assessed to ensure they meet health and safety requirements as the province moves to resume in-person hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    B.C. takes precautions as it moves to restart in-person court hearings

    Canada a series of 'regional epidemics,' top doctor says as provinces hit snags

    Canada a series of 'regional epidemics,' top doctor says as provinces hit snags
    Different regions face distinct challenges in emerging from COVID-19 lockdowns, Canada's top public health doctor noted Thursday as New Brunswick had to suspend its legislature, Ontario saw a jump in cases and Manitoba grappled with loosening restrictions on gatherings.

    Canada a series of 'regional epidemics,' top doctor says as provinces hit snags

    PrevNext