Second case of blood clot after AstraZeneca vaccine reported in Canada

By: Thomas I. Likness
EBC News Service

(Eagle News) — Alberta is reporting a case of a rare blood clot following immunization with the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.

“We have confirmed a case of the rare blood clot disorder known as VITT (vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia) in Alberta,” Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Saturday in a statement. “The patient is a male in his 60s who has received treatment and is recovering.’

Hinshaw did not release any other details of the case to protect patient confidentiality.

She continues to recommend the vaccine for people over 55.

“The Alberta case marks the second cases of VITT out of more than 700,000 doses of AstraZeneca or CoviSHIELD/AstraZeneca that have been administered in Canada to date,” said Hinshaw. “This does not change the risk assessment previously communicated to Albertans.”

She says the risk of the clot is one case in every 100,000 to 250,000 doses of the vaccine .

But Hinshaw says those over 55 who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 have a one in 200 chance of dying from the infection.

“While every adverse reaction is unfortunate, it is important to remember that these blood clots are extremely rare and that this vaccine helps prevent the much higher risks that come from COVID-19 infection,” she said.
(Eagle News Service)