Health Canada is informing Canadians and healthcare professionals about changes to the product labels of the Janssen and Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) COVID-19 vaccines.The Department is updating the label of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine to provide additional information about the very rare risk of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), an autoimmune condition, and the rare risk of venous thromboembolism...
Tag: astrazeneca
Post
Real World Evidence for COVID-19 Vaccines
Similar to clinical trials, real world cohort and case-control studies find COVID-19 infections are reduced by >90% with two doses of mRNA vaccines. Single doses of either mRNA or AstraZeneca vaccine decreases infections by ~60% and hospitalizations by 70-80%. Vaccine effectiveness appears similar for variants of concern and are safe for pregnant women. HMC
Post
Updated information on AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccines
On June 29, 2021, Health Canada issued a Health Product Risk Communication regarding the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccine: https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel- avis/hc-sc/2021/75389a-eng.php Health Canada has updated the product monograph for the AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccines to add capillary leak syndrome as a potential side effect following vaccination. Patients with a history of capillary leak syndrome should not...
Post
Second dose of COVID-19 Vaccination
NACI has provided updated recommendations on COVID-19 vaccine schedules. For those who have received a first dose of an AstraZeneca vaccine, an mRNA vaccine is preferred for the second dose due to emerging evidence suggesting better immune response, and, to mitigate the risk of VITT(Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia) from viral vector vaccines. HMC
Post
Second Dose COVID-19 Vaccine Type-Interchangeability, Updated on June3, 2021
NACI recommends that persons who received a first dose of the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine may receive either AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine or an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) for their second dose, unless contraindicated. On June 1, the Public Health Agency of Canada released updated recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on the interchangeability of authorized...
Post
AstraSeneca Second Dose
At this time, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) does NOT recommend that vaccines of different types (e.g., mRNA vaccine and viral vector vaccine) be used in the two-dose series, as data on the immune response following mixed vaccine schedules are not yet available. Further information from clinical trials and NACI’s recommendation are anticipated...
Post
All Peel residents aged 18+ are now eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccine
Effective May 6, all Peel residents aged 18 or older are eligible for vaccination, including those who do not live in provincially designated hot spots. Please note that in order to be eligible, individuals must be at least 18 years of age at the time of their vaccination. Eligible residents can book appointments at any of Peel...
Post
Vaccine-Induced Prothrombotic Immune Thrombocytopenia (VIPIT) Following AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccination: Summary
https://covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/vaccine-induced-prothrombotic-immune-thrombocytopenia-vipit-following-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccination-lay-summary/ HMC
Post
Interchangeability of COVID-19 vaccines
As per the Ministry of Health’s guidance on the Administration of the AstraZeneca COVID-19/COVISHIELD vaccine, individuals who have received one dose of the AstraZeneca/COVIDSHIELD vaccine, should receive a second dose of the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine to complete their vaccination series. HMC
Post
Age eligibility for AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine expanded to 40+
The province of Ontario has announced that starting Tuesday, April 20, the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to individuals aged 40 and over at pharmacies across the province. Eligible individuals can book an appointment at participating pharmacies by accessing: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations Based on the review of data from Europe and the United Kingdom, Health Canada...
Post
Health Canada provides update on the AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccines
https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2021/75389a-eng.php HMC
Post
COVID-19 Vaccination of the Senior 65+ Population
Peel residents aged 65-69 are now eligible to get vaccinated for COVID-19 at hospital clinics. Appointments for the 65-69 age group will also be expanded to Peel Public Health community clinic sites in the coming days. In alignment with the Ministry’s Guidance for Prioritization of Phase 2 Populations for COVID-19 Vaccination, individuals with the following conditions, along...
Post
Important Safety Information on AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine and COVISHIELD: Risk of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia – AstraZeneca Canada Inc. and Verity Pharmaceuticals Inc.
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine and COVISHIELD were authorized for use in Canada on February 26, 2021, in accordance with the Interim Order Respecting the Importation, Sale and Advertising of Drugs for Use in Relation to COVID-19. Since the time of authorization, there have been very rare reports in Europe of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia following administration...
Post
Answering Patient Questions about COVID-19 Vaccines
Dear Patients, As you all know, the first vaccines are being given to higher-risk people and healthcare workers. But we look forward to when you all will have access to the vaccine. We do not yet know the place or the timing and we will communicate this when we do. Appropriate steps taken – The...