Canada’s prime minister says all Covid-19 vaccines in Canada are safe

By Thomas I. Likness
Eagle News Service

(Eagle News) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says all Covid-19 vaccines available in Canada are safe and people should get immunized as quickly as possible.

“Our advice to provinces and territories and to Canadians has not changed, make sure you get your shot when it is your turn,” Trudeau said Tuesday.

Trudeau’s comment follows yesterday’s recommendation from Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

The committee says mRNA vaccines, such as the ones made by Pfizer or Moderna, are the preferred method of immunization.

The others, known as viral vector vaccines, are made by Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca.

“The viral vector vaccines are very effective vaccines, but there is a safety risk,” said Dr. Shelley Deeks, the committee’s vice-chair. She says there is a risk of developing rare blood clots following immunization with them.

Trudeau was recently immunized with the AstraZeneca formula.

“On a personal level, I am extremely pleased that I got the AstraZeneca vaccine a number of weeks ago,” he said. “It was extremely important to me to be able to protect my loved ones, to protect my family and do my part to ensure that all Canadians get through this as quickly as possible.”

The prime minister sidestepped questions on whether the committee advice might prompt some people to delay getting vaccinated until they can get the product of their choice.

(Eagle News Service)

 

TORONTO, ON – APRIL 01: Healthcare worker from Humber River Hospital in Toronto, Canada administers Covid-19 vaccine. Cole Burston/Getty Images/AFP