Quebec Is Suspending The AstraZeneca Vaccine For People Under 55

European health officials still consider the vaccine safe.
Quebec Is Suspending The AstraZeneca Vaccine For People Under 55
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Staff Writer

The Quebec Health Ministry has confirmed that it will no longer offer the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Quebecers under 55 years old "until further notice." 

According to the ministry, "the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is currently evaluating a potential link between certain health complications and AstraZeneca vaccine in people under the age of 55 who have received it."

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"In light of this new information, administration of the Covishield vaccine to people under the age of 55 is temporarily on hold pending expert assessments," said the ministry. 

The ministry highlighted that while the "EMA still considers the product to be safe and effective, [...] the possibility of a link between the vaccine and bleeding disorders and cerebral venous thrombosis cannot be completely ruled out at this time."

It also emphasized that no such complications from the AstraZeneca vaccine have been reported in Canada.

The ministry is keeping a close eye on developments. 

Health Canada has a robust website with all the latest information on the vaccines and can answer any questions you may have. Click here for more information.

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  • Teddy Elliot
  • Teddy Elliot
    Teddy Elliot was a Staff Writer for MTL Blog. He was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec and has a B.A. in Literature. Teddy has been a journalist for three years and was once an English teacher. His creative work has appeared in The Blasted Tree and Parenthetical Magazine. When he's not chasing scoops, Teddy can be found cheering on Aston Villa and listening to 80s power ballads. He was shortlisted for a Digital Publishing Award in 2021.

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