(file photo/CHATNEWSToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

AstraZeneca-linked blood clot confirmed in Alberta, confirms Hinshaw

Apr 17, 2021 | 12:57 PM

EDMONTON, AB– In a Saturday morning press briefing, Dr. Deena Hinshaw confirmed a man in his 60’s is recovering after vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), a rare blood clot disorder, that was discovered after the patient received the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Despite the confirmed case, Hinshaw reiterated the importance of getting vaccinated to protect the health of yourself and other Albertans.

” “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. This does not change the risk assessment previously communicated to Albertans.” she said.

HInshaw stressed that while the adverse reaction is unfortunate, blood clots, as a result of vaccination are extremely rare.

““The global frequency of VITT has been estimated at approximately one case in 100,000 to 250,000 doses of vaccine. In comparison, Albertans 55 and older who are diagnosed with COVID-19 have a one in 200 chance of dying from that infection. They are also at least 1,500 times more likely to be hospitalized from COVID-19 than experiencing VITT after getting AstraZeneca,” she said.

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The health zone and other details surrounding the patient were not disclosed due to confidentiality.

Hinshaw said the province is in discussions about the age range of eligibility for vaccines, after reports of ineligible Albertans getting access to vaccinations. But she said nothing has been finalized as of yet.