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Local Medical Officer of Health Endorses Astra-Zeneca Vaccine

Wednesday, 24 March 2021 14:47

By ChrisM

Health Canada has added a blood clot warning to the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine but maintains it is safe to use. Local Medical Officer of Health Dr. Joyce Lock says the benefits of the vaccine still far outweigh the risks.

OXFORD/ELGIN/ST.THOMAS - Health Canada has added a blood clot warning to the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine, but maintains it is safe. 

Locally Southwestern Public Health Medical Officer of Health Dr. Joyce Lock explains why the warning was issued.

"Health Canada is aware of the reports in Europe of adverse events following vaccination with the Astra-Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 virus has been shown to increase clots to people who do get ill with it and this was one of the side effects that all of us were watching for."

Dr. Lock says the risk of getting blood clots from Astra-Zeneca remains very low.

"It appears at the moment that the rate of clots is no greater in those who receive the vaccine than in those who did not, so we are not seeing anymore clots than we would normally see."

She adds they still recommend taking the Astra-Zeneca vaccine if it becomes available locally.

"The risk of serious illness of COVID-19, out weighs any risk of clotting and so, in general, Health Canada continues to reassure Canadians of the benefit of the COVID-19 vaccine."

Dr. Lock says they will continue to monitor this closely.

"Health Canada continues to monitor this very carefully and locally, I monitor all side effects of any seriousness to the vaccine. Our primary care providers know that they are to report any side effects of significance to me and I review each and every single case." 

This is all part of reporting that is done locally, provincially and nationally to ensure the safety of all vaccines. 

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