Ontario has paused the rollout and first dose administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine

Effective May 11, 2021, Ontario has paused the rollout and administration of first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to an observed increase in the rare blood clotting condition known as vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). This decision was also based on the increasing mRNA vaccine supply (for example, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) and decreasing rates of COVID-19.

Given the higher risk of COVID-19 infection and with the variants of concern being stronger and more transmissible, those who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine did the right thing to prevent severe illness and to protect themselves and their communities. Additional details on second dose recommendations will be shared following further scientific review.

In collaboration with health experts at Public Health Ontario, the Science Advisory Table and federal, provincial, and territorial partners, the Ontario government is reviewing the data to consider options for the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for second doses and more broadly. Early studies have shown promising results with the administration of two doses of different vaccines and the province is seeking guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on the interchangeability of COVID-19 vaccines moving forward.

This pause with AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine indicates that the vaccine surveillance and safety signal process is working. For further details, read Ontario’s statement (Government of Ontario) on pausing the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Within the Public Health Sudbury & Districts service area, 459 doses of AstraZeneca have been administered by primary care and 2801 doses by local pharmacies.

All eligible individuals, who are not yet immunized, are encouraged to book an appointment to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to them. Visit our vaccinations clinics for COVID-19 page for information on eligibility and upcoming clinics.

For more information or if you have questions, please visit phsd.ca/COVID-19 or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).