Trudeau 'extremely pleased' he received AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine amid concerns around 'preferred vaccine' types
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's message to Canadians is to "make sure you get your shot as soon as it’s your turn," despite guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are the "preferred vaccine."
"The longer we wait the longer it takes, the longer before we get back to normal, the slower before we get to drive down case numbers across the country," Trudeau said. "We need to, all of us, get vaccinated as quickly as possible so we can get back to normal."
This comes after NACI is recommending that Johnson & Johnson's single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine be offered to individuals age 30 and older, without contraindications. Similar to the recommendation for the AstraZeneca vaccine. Both of these vaccine have been linked to cases of VITT, vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia, a rare but serious blood clot event.
The prime minister, who has received the AstraZeneca vaccine, said he is "extremely pleased" he got his first AstraZeneca shot.
"Every vaccine administered in Canada is safe and effective as evaluated by Heath Canada," Trudeau said.
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, admitted that it is hard for people to understand the evolving science and data around different COVID-19 vaccines.
"I can certainly understand why some individuals are concerned, are getting frustrated, as advice appears to be evolving, but that is the nature of science," Dr. Tam said.
"Everyone should be reassured the that regulator, the experts and local medical officers of health, have all done their work in a synchronized manner to provide vaccines to their community."
