On Monday, March 29, 2021, Manitoba’s vaccine implementation taskforce medical lead, Dr Joss Reimer, announced that the province would be limiting the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine to those 55 and over.
The announcement came after a study of the vaccine found a rare side effect had been uncovered primarily in young women. The study showed that a serious blood clot showed up in some people in the first 20 days after receiving AstraZeneca vaccine. Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended that people under 55 should not be given AstraZeneca.
Reimer said during a media briefing that there have not been any cases of people developing side effects to the vaccine in Manitoba.
The eligibility change goes into effect immediately and those under 55 who were already scheduled to received the AstraZeneca vaccine will have their appointments cancelled.
As of Monday about !4,000 of the 18,000 doses that Manitoba received of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been administered.
© News4.ca 2021
