Concerning The Threat Of The Third Wave Of COVID-19, Canada Expands The Use Of The AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccine AstraZeneca. (Wikimedia Commons / gencat cat)

JAKARTA - The Provincial Authority of Ontario, Canada plans to expand the use of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine to people aged 40 years or over, starting Tuesday, April 20 tomorrow.

This change will expand the reach of vaccines, along with the threat of the third wave of COVID-19 infection to hospitals in Canada's most populous province.

The policy, which will be announced Monday, April 19, will make it easier to use the AstraZeneca vaccine doses that have been distributed to pharmacies but are limited to people aged 55 years or over.

Ontario announced new public health measures on Friday, promising checkpoints at provincial borders, new police forces, and closing outdoor facilities, while many workplaces remain open.

The move was widely criticized by doctors and public health experts, and the province quickly reopened its playgrounds and revamped new police forces.

On March 29, Health Canada said it would review reports of serious blood clots and bleeding in a small number of people who had received the AstraZeneca vaccine in other countries.

An independent panel called the National Advisory Council on Immunization (NACI) recommends it. only given to people 55 years and over. All provinces followed that advice.

But the NACI recommendations are non-binding. Last week, Health Canada, the country's drug regulator, said it was reviewing all available evidence and would not limit the use of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, because the benefits outweigh the potential risks. Health Canada said at the time that the NACI was reviewing its recommendations.

On Sunday, the NACI chairman told Reuters the panel would make new recommendations on Tuesday. Health Canada says regulators in the UK estimate the risk of freezing is very small, roughly four in one million people who receive the vaccine.

"These complications can be treated. Two people have experienced it in Canada, and both are starting to recover", said Health Canada as reported by Reuters, Monday, April 19.

Several other countries have restricted the use of vaccines for the elderly. Denmark has withdrawn the vaccine. Meanwhile, Norway said on Thursday it would take more time to decide whether to resume use or not.

To note, Ontario reported 4.250 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday. The Ontario Hospital Association said 59 patients were admitted to intensive care on Saturday, bringing the number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU to 737.

Health Canada adds that those who receive the vaccine should seek medical attention immediately if they experience shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling, persistent stomach pain, neurological symptoms such as severe headache or blurred vision, or skin bruising or small blood spots on the side. under the outer skin of the injection site.

To note, Canada generally uses four types of COVID-19 vaccines. Last December, local health authorities approved the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. In February, it was AstraZeneca's turn to obtain permission. And finally, in early March, the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.