Quebec suspends use of AstraZeneca vaccine for people under 55 - By Lela S.
There are lots of COVID-19 vaccines, such as Pfizer and Moderna. However, one less common one is the AstraZeneca vaccine. And there are some issues with this one, which is why Quebec has suspended the use of this vaccine for people under 55.
In a statement, the ministry said it made the decision based on recommendations from Quebec and national health advisory boards. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is examining a potential link between the vaccine and blood clotting in the brain, as well as other bleeding disorders.
The EMA still considers this vaccine as safe and effective, but they are still examining the possibility of a link. Very rare cases have occurred within weeks of receiving AstraZeneca vaccine in some European countries, the majority in women under 55 years of age.
Other provinces are also putting the vaccine on hold. Manitoba has taken the same strategy as Quebec, while PEI announced Monday morning that they would halt use of the vaccine for people aged 18 to 29.