A bottle of some of the first $ 500,000 dose of the $ 2 million AstraZeneca coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine that Canada has secured through an agreement with the Serum Institute of India in collaboration with Verity Pharma in a Milton facility, Ontario, Canada. March 3, 2021. REUTERS / Carlos Osorio
Canada reported on Saturday a second case of rare blood clots with low platelets after vaccination with AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine (AZN.L) within a week, while saying it still recommended use of the shot.
The person who experienced the extremely rare event has been treated and is recovering, the Canadian Ministry of Health said in a statement, adding that the person lives in the province of Alberta.
According to available evidence, Canada still argues that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh the potential risks, according to the statement.
The Canadian health authorities “will continue to closely monitor the use of all COVID-19 vaccines and examine and assess new safety concerns,” the statement said.
Canada on Tuesday reported a first blood clot associated with the vaccine, and a day later, after a check-up, health authorities said they would not restrict the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Read more
A separate advisory board had previously recommended to Canada that it stop offering the vaccine to people under 55 years of age. This group is reviewing their tips.
Canada has intensified its vaccination campaign, but still has a lower percentage of its inoculated population than dozens of other countries, including the United States and Britain.
Amid a third wave of infections, Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, announced new public health restrictions on Friday, including closing provincial borders to domestic travelers. Read more
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