Manitoba is pausing its use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for people under the age of 55, which health officials say is out of an abundance of caution.
On Monday, Dr. Joss Reimer from Manitoba’s vaccine task force explained the decision follows reports of a rare but serious side-effect in Europe noticed predominantly in young women.
Reimer notes that we have not seen any examples of this rare side-effect happening in Manitoba or Canada.
“The increase in this rare type of serious blood clot affects somewhere around 1 in 100,000 to 1 in 1,000,000 people who receive this AstraZeneca / COVISHIELD vaccine. Symptoms typically happen four to 20 days after vaccination,” explains Reimer.
For the time being, AstraZeneca vaccines will continue to be available through medical clinics and pharmacies for Manitobans between the ages of 55 to 64.
This change in how Manitoba will use the AstraZeneca vaccine is effective immediately.
Anyone under the age of 55 scheduled to receive the vaccine will be contacted to cancel their appointment.
