“Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is recommending provinces pause the use of the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine on those under the age of 55 because of safety concerns — guidance most provinces said today that they would follow.”
Province health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said B.C. will follow other jurisdictions and suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for those under age 55.
globalnews.ca
“B.C.’s top doctor said Monday that the province will pause the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in those under the age of 55 “for the next few days” following a recommendation from federal health officials.”
"This vaccine has had all the ups and downs — it looks like a roller coaster," said Dr. Caroline Quach, chair of NACI and a pediatric infectious diseases expert. "The problem is because data are evolving, we are also evolving our recommendations."
Quach said the risk of rare blood clots appears to only occur in younger populations, which is why NACI recommended suspending the vaccine in those under 55.
She added that the vaccine works well in preventing severe outcomes and death in older populations over 55, particularly in those over 70, and the risk of blood clots does not appear to be present in those age groups.