TOO SOON TO SAY IF 1ST DOSE ASTRAZENECA ONTARIO RESIDENTS WILL RECEIVE AZ FOR THEIR 2ND DOSE: WILLIAMS

May 12, 2021

By Jane Brown

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Ontario’s health experts are not saying whether the 853,885 people who received a first dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario will receive a second dose of the same vaccine or a shot of either Pfizer or Moderna.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams would only say on Tuesday that a review is underway and that this is a possibility.

“Data from the U.K. points to a much reduced risk of VITT in second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine,” Dr. Williams explained, “And we look forward to providing more guidance in advance of people needing to receive their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.”

Williams offered the possibility after announcing that Ontario is pausing use of the AstraZeneca shot for first doses because of an increase in this type of rare blood clot, from 1 in 100,000 to 1 in 60,000.

Dr. Peter Juni is the scientific director of Ontario’s science table, and further explains the risk and signs and symptoms of VITT.

“We know that the time frame for this extremely rare event happens between 4 and 28 days. Once you’re past 28 days you’re completely out of any of these risks and you’re completely okay to go,” Dr. Juni explained.

Dr. Juni offers more of his perspective when he joins Zoomer Radio’s Fight Back with Libby Znaimer after Wednesday’s noon news.

By comparison, the risk of the rare blood clot known as VITT for a second dose of AstraZeneca is only 1 in 1,000,000.

Shots from Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vaccines not connected to the blood clot syndrome.

Meantime, the Trudeau Liberals say they remain committed to bringing in more AstraZeneca doses.

Canada hit a new milestone Tuesday, topping the Group of 20 nations in the average daily rate of vaccines administered per capita.

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