PANEL ADVISES PROVINCES NOT USE ASTRAZENECA COVID-19 VACCINE ON 65+
Mar 01, 2021
By Bob Komsic
Share on
The just approved AstraZenca COVID-19 vaccine should not be given to Canadians 65 and older.
The recommendation comes from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), which cites insufficient evidence of efficacy in this age group at this time.
The recommendation follows Health Canada’s approval of the vaccine last Friday, when the regulator said based on all information available; including ”real world” evidence in countries using the AstraZeneca vaccine, the ”benefit-risk profile” was positive in those 65 and older and showed no safety concerns in seniors.
However Health Canada also pointed to the ”limited” clinical trial data, saying that efficacy in the age group would be updated as more data from ongoing trials becomes available.
The committee is also recommending the two doses be given the full 12-weeks apart.
It’s unclear how the recommendations will affect the rollout and administration of the vaccine, with the initial shipment arriving possibly within days.