Do not refuse AstraZeneca, health professionals say
16 March 2021 at 18 h 50 min
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(Photo : Courtesy)
By Matthew McCully
Of the roughly 1,600 residents of the Estrie region with a COVID-19 vaccination appointment on Monday, 123 refused the vaccine when they learned they were being offered the AstraZeneca brand rather than Pfizer or Moderna.
Despite assurances from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently, the news circulating about countries in Europe suspending the use of AstraZeneca following incidents of health issues has instilled doubt in Canadians.
Dr. Maryse Guay, a professor in community health sciences at the University of Sherbrooke said it was disappointing to hear that close to 7 per cent of Monday’s appointments refused their vaccine. Guay is a medical specialist in public health, doing research in the organization of vaccination services, healthcare, prevention and frontline services. She is also medical advisor to the Montérégie Public Health Department and the National Public Health Institute (INSPQ).