First reported case of blood clot after AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada has confirmed the first reported case of an adverse event involving blood clots after someone in Canada received the COVISHIELD Serum Institute of India version of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
The individual is at home recovering and Health Canada maintains that this is a "very rare" adverse event.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and the Canada's chief medical officer of health still recommends that AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines be paused in adults under age 55, while assessment of the vaccine continues.
"As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout advances in Canada, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada will continue to monitor the use of all COVID-19 vaccines closely and examine and assess any new safety concerns," messaging from the Canadian government reads.
"Based on all of the evidence available internationally to-date, Health Canada continues to consider that the benefits of the AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD vaccines to protect against COVID-19 outweigh the potential risks."
Canada's stance on Johnson & Johnson vaccine
This report also comes as the U.S. has called for a pause on Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen single-dose COVID-19 vaccine after reports of rare blood clots.
(1 of 2) HC is aware of the U.S.’ pause on the use of the Janssen #COVID19 vaccine due to reports of unusual blood clots. Health Canada authorized this vaccine on March 5; however, there have been no shipments to Canada. https://t.co/9xNRIDrz4I
— Health Canada and PHAC (@GovCanHealth) April 13, 2021
At a press conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated that doses of this vaccine are expect to arrive at the end of April.
"Obviously, we’re following closely developments in the United States and we can assure everyone that Health Canada will every step of the way put the health of Canadians first and foremost in any decision we make around distributing vaccines," Trudeau said.
"Medical professionals...are making recommendations around which vaccines are right for which people."
(2 of 2) HC is following this issue closely and is working with the manufacturer, the US Food and Drug Administration and other international regulators. Health Canada has asked Janssen to provide information on any cases of these rare blood clotting events.
— Health Canada and PHAC (@GovCanHealth) April 13, 2021
A tweet from Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada states that Janssen must provide information on any clotting events as the Canadian government continues to work with the manufacturer and U.S. Food and Drug Administration.