Health Canada reports first blood clot linked to AstraZeneca

The Public Health Agency of Canada has received a report of an individual who has experienced a blood clot after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine.

This is the first reported case in Canada.

1/5 PHAC has received a report of an individual in Canada who has experienced a rare blood clot with low platelets following immunization with COVISHIELD, the SII version of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. This is the first reported case in Canada.

— Health Canada and PHAC (@GovCanHealth) April 13, 2021

The Quebec health ministry says the female patient, whose age was not revealed,
received the appropriate care and is recovering at home.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization and the Chief Medical Officers of Health recommend the use of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines be paused in adults under age 55.

Earlier today the United States also paused the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine following reports of six similar blood clots. Health Canada says it has asked the drugmaker for more information on that vaccine as well.