Second rare blood clot linked to AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine confirmed in Hamilton, Ont.

Hamilton Public Health Services has confirmed the second instance of a man in his 60s who developed a blood clot after receiving his first dose of the AstraZeneca-Covishield Covid19 vaccine.

“We are confirming that Hamilton has Ontario’s second case of the rare blood clotting condition known as vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) … The patient has received treatment and continues to receive care in hospital,” Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton’s medical officer of health, told GTA News in a statement Friday evening.

“While these serious reactions remain extremely rare, there is a robust process in place to monitor for any adverse events and have taken steps to ensure that these events are identified and treated as quickly as possible.

“All COVID-19 vaccines available in the province have been determined to be safe and effective by Health Canada, and have been shown to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death.”