Premier Jason Kenney announces, from Edmonton on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, that Alberta is returning to Step 1 of the four-step framework to protect the health system and reduce the rising spread of COVID-19 provincewide. Photo by Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta
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Two provinces will offer the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to those aged 40 and older starting Tuesday, officials announced Sunday following days of mounting pressure to lower the minimum age.
Alberta and Ontario had stuck to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s recommendation to offer the AstraZeneca shot to those 55 and older due to a slightly elevated risk of an extremely rare blood clot disorder.
Ontario lowers minimum age for AstraZeneca shot to 40 from 55 starting Tuesday - Canada News castanet.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from castanet.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Premier Doug Ford’s office says that they have been told to be prepared for delays to two upcoming shipments of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, creating a potential snag in getting shots into arms just as Ontario makes the vaccine available to younger residents.
There are no geographic restrictions on where residents can get a shot at a pharmacy, which means individuals can book an Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine at a pharmacy outside their home community if they choose.
Those seeking to book an appointment must have a valid Ontario health card or other form of government-issued identification. The province’s expanded eligibility for the shot includes those turning 40 this year.
How many Oxford-AstraZeneca doses does Ontario have?
In an open letter issued last week, a group of Progressive Conservative legislators said Ontario has about 543,000 doses of the vaccine. They said about half those doses were in pharmacies and another 117,000 with family doctors. The province did not immediately provide updated numbers Monday.
Ontario lowers minimum age for AstraZeneca shot to 40 from 55 pembrokeobserver.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from pembrokeobserver.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.