National

Health Canada to add warning on AstraZeneca

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Mar, 2021 05:48 PM

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.

LIVE: Federal ministers and health officials provide COVID-19 update https://t.co/LpYkzodND5
— Health Canada and PHAC (@GovCanHealth) March 23, 2021

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.

To date, ≥ 5,485 #VariantsOfConcern cases (↑331 since Mar.21), including 5,117 (↑310) B.1.1.7, 244 (↑1) B.1.351 & 124 (↑20) P.1 variants have been reported, with numbers highest in Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia & Quebec. https://t.co/IHyBa1lpr8
— Dr. Theresa Tam (@CPHO_Canada) March 23, 2021

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Governments Fight To Curb Covid-19 And Economic Fallout Of Growing Pandemic

With large swaths of normal work and recreational life grinding to a halt, the federal government looked to pass emergency legislation aimed at allowing for $82 billion in direct spending and deferred taxes.

Governments Fight To Curb Covid-19 And Economic Fallout Of Growing Pandemic

Already Stretched, Paramedic Services Feeling Bigger Crunch From COVID-19

OTTAWA - Paramedics across the country who were already working at capacity say they're being stretched by calls for help with COVID-19 and the extra precautions that come with them.

Already Stretched, Paramedic Services Feeling Bigger Crunch From COVID-19

Fine Canadians For Ignoring COVID-19 Orders Or Face Consequences: Doctor

Measures limiting personal contact to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have seemed like suggestions to beachgoers in the Vancouver area, where basketball games and picnics in the midst of a pandemic prompted the mayor to announce fines on Monday.

Fine Canadians For Ignoring COVID-19 Orders Or Face Consequences: Doctor

Three COVID-19-19 Deaths In B.C., 472 Total Cases, Says Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said 472 people in B.C. have tested positive for COVID-19.

Three COVID-19-19 Deaths In B.C., 472 Total Cases, Says Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry

COVID-19 Action Plan: B.C. Is Prepared To Spend $5 Billion To Support People, Businesses

British Columbians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will benefit from $5 billion in income supports, tax relief and direct funding for people, businesses and services.