POST Online Media Lite Edition



 

Canada suspends AstraZeneca vaccine for adults 55 and under

Christian Fernsby |
National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is recommending an immediate pause in the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in all individuals less than 55 years of age in Canada.

Article continues below




This is based on evidence of rare instances of vaccine-induced pro-thrombotic immune thrombocytopenia (VIPIT) following AstraZeneca vaccination reported in Europe, with associated high case fatality and related serious outcomes.

"As Chief Medical Officers of Health, we are acting decisively with our unified position to pause the use of AstraZeneca vaccine in Canada in those under age 55 at this time. We are taking this precautionary measure while Health Canada as the regulator completes its updated risk/benefit analysis based on emerging data," Public Health Agency of Canada says in a statement.

"During this time of risk assessment, Canada has other vaccine options to address the ongoing risk of COVID-19 infection. To date, such adverse events have not been reported in Canada and AstraZeneca vaccine has not yet been used in large numbers in Canada.

"Following population-based analyses of VIPIT, assessing the risk of COVID-19 by age, and considering availability of other vaccines (i.e., mRNA vaccines), from what is known at this time there is substantial uncertainty about the benefit of providing AstraZeneca vaccine to adults under 55 years of age given the potential risks associated with VIPIT.

"At this time we are pausing the use of AstraZeneca vaccine to adults under 55 years of age, pending further risk/benefit analysis. Adults 55 years of age and older may still be offered the AstraZeneca vaccine, given the increased risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 in this population and since VIPIT reports have been even rarer in that age group.

"While these reported adverse events have occurred primarily in women, investigations are ongoing as it is possible that more women received the AstraZeneca vaccine making it difficult to assess risk based on sex.

"The outcome of VIPIT can be serious, including death. If diagnosed early, VIPIT can be treated and the risk of serious outcomes reduced. Based on current evidence, for those individuals who have already been vaccinated with AstraZeneca for more than 20 days there is no cause for concern.

"For those who have been vaccinated with AstraZeneca less than 20 days, and anyone vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine going forward, you should seek immediate medical attention in the rare event that you develop symptoms starting four days or more after vaccination, and such as: shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling, persistent abdominal pain, sudden onset of severe or persistent worsening headaches or blurred vision, and skin bruising (other than at the site of vaccination).

"Decisions on the type of second dose that will be offered to those who have been vaccinated with AstraZeneca will be determined based on the latest evidence and research. NACI will review evidence as it emerges to provide advice to public health programs on the potential for completing the vaccine series with other vaccine products. For now, you do not need a second dose for up to 16 weeks from your first dose.

"This decision is part of the vaccine safety monitoring and response approach that has long been established in Canada and used to monitor all vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines. We are responding to this safety signal with the information we have at this time and we will be reviewing new information to inform any changes in our position in the days ahead.

"Chief Medical Officers of Health are aligned and working closely together to review and act on the latest evidence on safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. We will continue to work together to adapt our approaches as the science and situation evolves, and provide clear and evidence-informed guidance in order to keep everyone in Canada safe and healthy," Public Health Agency of Canada says.

The Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health includes the Chief Medical Officer of Health from each provincial and territorial jurisdiction, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, the Chief Medical Advisor of Health Canada, the Chief Medical Officer of Public Health of Indigenous Services Canada, the Chief Medical Officer from the First Nations Health Authority, and ex-officio members from other federal government departments.


What to read next

Romania and Thailand suspends AstraZeneca vaccine, Germany and France not worried
Moderna begins testing next-generation coronavirus vaccine
Denmark suspends AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for another three weeks

Winter storm moving across U.S.

 
A hyperactive weather pattern will bring an expansive low pressure system across mainland U.S., resulting in widespread impactful weather to progress from west to east across the country through the next few days.
 
 

Latest

Baker Hughes reports U.S. rig count up 2 to 588
Massachusetts Governor Healey welcomes Jordan king
Attorney General coalition probing asset managers’ activity regarding Chinese investments
Amazon announces 1,000 new UK apprenticeship opportunities for 2025

NEWS

U.S.: Pacific storm will bring strong winds, heavy rain, and mountain snow

EPPO probes steel import tax fraud with searches in UK and Germany
Police investigate extensive data breach on Valio’s network
U.S.: Prolonged heavy rain and snowfall
Croatia: Investigation launched against 2 individuals and 1 company suspected of subsidy fraud
Latvia-Sweden subsea cable damaged in Baltic Sea
 

BUSINESS

Cable laying begins for Tyrrhenian Link interconnector in Italy

Construction of Serbia-Hungary oil pipeline to begin by end-2025
Six contractors set to bid for Stad ship tunnel in Norway
New Cebu International Container Port construction begins
Baltic States join the European continental electricity grid
U.S. drillers add oil and gas rigs to 586
 

Trending Now

Winter storm moving across U.S.

Massachusetts Governor Healey welcomes Jordan king

Baker Hughes reports U.S. rig count up 2 to 588

Novartis opens 40 mln euro plant in Slovenia


POLITICS

Trump raises aluminum tariffs to 25 pct, ends exemptions on steel and aluminum

Greece to protest Italian sale of aerospace giant Piaggio to Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar
South Africa raises national minimum wage to $1.55 per hour
Moldova announces tender for constructing wind, solar parks worth 200 mln euros
Denmark supports hydrogen pipeline to Germany with $1.1bn of subsidies
EU invests over €1.2 billion in cross-border infrastructure
 

Today We Recommend

Attorney General coalition probing asset managers’ activity regarding Chinese investments


Highlights 

Amazon announces 1,000 new UK apprenticeship opportunities for 2025

NIB provides loan to Tønder Biogas for one of Europe’s largest biogas facilities

bp and Iberdrola begin construction of Spain’s largest green hydrogen plant


COMPANIES

Novartis opens 40 mln euro plant in Slovenia

NIB provides loan to Tønder Biogas for one of Europe’s largest biogas facilities
Amadix to develop innovative diagnostic tests for early cancer detection
bp and Iberdrola begin construction of Spain’s largest green hydrogen plant
Cold-Link Logistics will create 123 new jobs in Robeson County, North Carolina
ArcelorMittal plans Alabama mill to produce electrical steel, will create 1,300+ jobs
 

CAREERS

Ruslan Pereira promoted to head of sales for Lindemann’s South American region

Nazeem Noordali appointed CEO of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation
Inizio appoints Colin Stanley as chief commercial officer
Bridgewest Group names operating partner and general manager, Europe
Keith Hale named group CEO to Unite Titian Software & Labguru (BioData)
Solithor appoints new CEO
 

ECONOMY

U.S. becomes New Zealand's second largest export destination

Indonesia goes from $0.6 billion deficit to $5.9 billion surplus
Greece to repay $5.3 billion bailout debt early
Fraser Institute: Canada’s debt ranking falls from best in G7 to 7th worst
Kuwait reports $5.2 bln budget deficit in FY 2023-24
Eurozone reports modest Q1 GDP growth, stable annual inflation
 

EARNINGS

Ericsson Q2 sales down but North America up

Lockton revenue $3.55 billion
Motorcar Parts of America Q4 sales $189.5 million
Limoneira Q2 revenue $44.6 million
Lululemon athletica Q1 revenue increased 10% to $2.2 billion
PVH Q1 GAAP EBIT $205 million
 

OP-ED

Micromanaging is the worst enemy of efficiency and teamwork

Niger set to monetize massive gas reserves through Saharan natural gas pipeline
Putting the brakes on EV folly that choked the market
Oil discovery in Kavango Basin may mean huge benefits for Namibians
Cape Town and Dubai battle over Africa's energy future
Is America going to lose its superpower status?
 

AGRIFISH

Higher salmon volumes and U.S. growth resulted in record Norwegian seafood exports in January

U.S. resumes cattle and bison imports from Mexico under new protocol
Canada considers lowering tebuconazole residue limit on grapes, impacting U.S. imports
How expensive was agricultural land in Europe in 2023
Iran to import 50,000 tons of potatoes to stabilize prices amid rising food costs
JBS and partners donate 3 million tags to improve livestock traceability in Pará, Brazil
 

LEADERSHIP

Study: Missing a deadline has a bigger impact than you might think

Employers prefer younger job candidates for AI roles although experienced workers perform same or better
Study finds workers misjudge wage markets
Some organizations may need to expand their hierarchical structures earlier than others
Study finds there's right way and wrong way to deliver negative feedback in workplace
Allyship is critical and its needs appreciation
 

CRIME

Commission fines Pierre Cardin and its licensee Ahlers €5.7 million for restricting cross-border sales of clothing

BHP, Vale agree to pay $30B damages for Brazil dam disaster
Commission fines České dráhy and Österreichische Bundesbahnen €48.7 million over collusion to exclude common compe
SEC charges Keurig with making inaccurate statements regarding recyclability of K-Cup beverage pod
SEC charges John Deere with FCPA violations for subsidiary’s role in Thai bribery scheme
AG Bonta secures $3.9 million settlement with cryptocurrency company Robinhood
 

Magazine

TRAVEL

Radisson Hotel Group debuts in the heart of Tunisia’s capital city, Tunis

Morocco’s first Radisson branded hotel opens in Casablanca
Buna channels, an unreal and beautiful part of Bosnia and Herzegovina
JW Marriott unveils Mindful Haven with opening of JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi
Sotheby's Sports Week returns with fantastic artifacts
Red Roof properties open in Michigan
 

SEA, LAND, AIR

Citroën C3 Aircross, the most affordable compact SUV with 7 seats

2025 Chevrolet Equinox stands apart with fresh looks and capability
Hill Helicopters HX50, luxury in the sky
Opel Movano becomes fully equipped camper van
Porsche Panamera, new hybrid variants
Dodge Charger, 670 horsepower of electric
 

DESIGN

Cold night, hot fire pit, cool entertainment

Embellish your home with PVC panels
You'll have to hurry if you want one of 20 new Louis Vuitton watches
Luxury duvet looks good, fells good and keeps you healthy
Vacheron Constantin, watches for life and more
Schüller kitchens, where functionality marries design
 

GADGETS

MESA/Boogie Celebrates 40-year partnership with John Petrucci

reMarkable 2, monochrome tablet for your thoughts and your eyes
OnePlus Ace 3V, first with Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3
ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, flagship with a reason
Samsung Galaxy S24 is photography powerhouse
Casette tapes are making a big comeback, and so are portable players
 

HEALTH

Human cases of anthrax reported in western Mongolia

One more barrier to developing vaccine for HIV removed
Rwanda begins world's first clinical trial for treatment of Marburg virus disease
Rwanda restricts gatherings amid Marburg virus outbreak, to begin trials of vaccine
Teksas Attorney General reaches settlement in first-of-its-kind healthcare generative AI investigation
Potentially deadly fungal disease spreading in California
 

MEANTIME

India launches space docking experiment mission

World-first carbon-14 diamond battery made
Einstein Telescope step closer
Exoplanet-hunting telescope to begin search for another Earth in 2026
India to build first phase of its own space station by 2028
Roscosmos chief approves schedule of creating Russian orbital station through 2033