Three provinces have already stopped using AstraZeneca's vaccine
But for different reasons.
On May 11, Ontario authorities reported that the province will no longer use the AstraZeneca vaccine as a first dose due to an increase in cases of rare but dangerous thrombosis in those vaccinated.
On the same day, Alberta made a similar decision, but the reason was not the side effects, but the fact that it was not known when the province would receive the next shipment of the drug. The remaining doses will be saved for people who are contraindicated in mRNA vaccines (e.g. Pfizer and Moderna).
Another province is Nova Scotia. The government has decided not to use AstraZeneca as the first dose because cases of thrombosis continue to be identified. Premier Ian Rankin also noted that more than 1,000 vaccination appointments have been cancelled in the province because residents prefer to wait their turn for Pfizer or Moderna.
Compatibility testing of vaccines from different manufacturers is currently underway.
Three deaths related to the AstraZeneca vaccine have been reported in Canada. One of them happened in Alberta last week.
