Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. expecting more AstraZeneca vaccine: minister

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 May, 2021 03:41 PM
  • B.C. expecting more AstraZeneca vaccine: minister

British Columbia will be holding its remaining stock of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to use as second doses for residents.

Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry say the change is due to the limited availability of the vaccine.

The pair say in a joint statement all currently scheduled vaccination appointments through pharmacies will proceed, but no additional appointments will be booked.

British Columbia reported 600 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday and 5,887 active infections, for a total of 137,223 since the pandemic began.

It also reported one new death, bringing the death toll to 1,625.

Several other provinces including Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec announced new restrictions on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine this week.

B.C. officials are working on a plan to give the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to youth aged 12 to 18 now that Health Canada has approved its use, Dix says.

On Wednesday, British Columbia also cleared the 50 per cent mark for eligible adults who have received at least one dose of vaccine, including more than 85 per cent of people aged 70 and over.

Dix and Henry say they are waiting on the results of studies examining the effects mixing doses of different vaccines as the province charts its immunization plan moving forward.

"No matter what your vaccine or when you may receive it, everyone will receive their second dose within 16 weeks of their first vaccine to maximize the protection for ourselves and those around us," they said in a joint statement.

Preliminary results of a study out of the United Kingdom said mixing the Oxford-AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines causes more frequent mild to moderate symptoms.

However, the study said it was too early to determine whether immune response to mixed doses would be affected and those results are expected to be released in the coming months.

MORE National ARTICLES

China denies mistreatment of two Michaels

China denies mistreatment of two Michaels
The two Michaels were detained in December 2018 in apparent retaliation for Canada's arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on an extradition request from the United States.

China denies mistreatment of two Michaels

How J&J and AstraZeneca differ from mRNA vaccines

How J&J and AstraZeneca differ from mRNA vaccines
It's the second COVID vaccine to be investigated for a possible link to blood clotting after several European countries temporarily halted use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for the same reason last month.

How J&J and AstraZeneca differ from mRNA vaccines

Liberals propose right to a healthy environment

Liberals propose right to a healthy environment
The proposed amendment is included in a new bill introduced in the House of Commons today, C-28, which would strengthen The Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

Liberals propose right to a healthy environment

Health Canada investigating J&J blood clot reports

Health Canada investigating J&J blood clot reports
The clots were observed along with reduced platelet counts making the usual treatment for blood clots, the blood thinner heparin, potentially "dangerous.''

Health Canada investigating J&J blood clot reports

Air Canada, Ottawa agree to $5.9B aid package

Air Canada, Ottawa agree to $5.9B aid package
Thousands of would-be passengers who paid for tickets remained in the lurch at the end of 2020. Air Canada reported it held $2.3 billion in advance ticket sales during the fourth quarter.

Air Canada, Ottawa agree to $5.9B aid package

Over 3200 COVID19 cases over 3 days

Over 3200 COVID19 cases over 3 days
A total of 368 people are currently hospitalized, with 121 of them in intensive care units as half the cases in the province now involve variants of concern, mostly the one first identified in the United Kingdom.

Over 3200 COVID19 cases over 3 days