NACI recommends AstraZeneca vaccine be offered to Canadians 30+

NACI now recommends the vaccine be used in people 30 years of age and older, “if the individual does not wish to wait for an mRNA vaccine and the benefits outweigh the risks,” said Shelley Deeks, NACI’s co-chair.

Previously, NACI’s guidance said the shot should only be used on those aged 55 and older.

there is enough evidence to say the vaccine may cause very rare blood clots, Health Canada says the shot is still extremely safe and very effective and will remain on the Canadian market. Health Canada updated the label on the AstraZeneca and Covishield vaccines in March to add information about the very rare reports of blood clots.

The U.K. regulator recently said, like Health Canada, that the vaccine remained safe for everyone, but the British version of NACI recommended it not be given to people under 30, who have the lowest risk for severe illness from COVID.