AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to be recommended for those 65+: source
Posted Mar 15, 2021 5:41 pm.
Last Updated Mar 16, 2021 6:44 am.
OTTAWA – The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is set to change its guidelines for the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and will recommend it be given to those 65 years and older, a source confirmed.
Earlier this month, NACI stopped short of recommending the adenoviral vector vaccine for those 65 and over “due to limited information on the efficacy of this vaccine in this age group at this time.”
RELATED: AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine not recommended for seniors 65 and older: NACI
When Health Canada approved the vaccine, the agency stated that while clinical trial data was limited for people over the age of 65, blood tests showed seniors did produce COVID-19 antibodies from the vaccine. Also “real world evidence and post-market experience” in places the vaccine is already in use show “a potential benefit and no safety concerns” with giving the vaccine to seniors.
NACI reportedly plans to update its guidelines on Tuesday.
The safety of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine came under scrutiny last week following reports out of Europe that some recipients developed blood clots following inoculation. Over a dozen countries have paused use of the vaccine pending further investigation.
Health Canada said on Friday that none of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine batches under investigation in Europe have been shipped to the country. Canada’s doses are coming from the Serum Institute of India, while Europe is getting its doses from facilities there.
The agency added that no adverse events related to the AstraZeneca vaccine have been reported in Canada to date.
RELATED: AstraZeneca batch investigated for blood clots not ones shipped to Canada: Health Canada
Meanwhile, provinces across the country have begun vaccinating those between the ages to 60 to 64 with the vaccine.
