By Liam Verster

Vaccine Rollout

Alberta reduces age requirement for Oxford-AstraZeneca shot to 40

Apr 19, 2021 | 7:18 AM

Starting Tuesday, April 20, Albertans aged 40 and over will be able to receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Pharmacies participating in the vaccine rollout and Alberta Health Services will begin accepting appointments for Albertans born in 1981 or earlier who wish to get the shot.

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Lowering the age requirement for the Oxford-AstraZeneca dose opens the vaccine up to 575,425 more Albertans, bringing the total eligible population to 2.3 million.

“With COVID-19 cases at high levels throughout the province, we are lowering the age eligibility for this vaccine so that as many Albertans as possible are able to choose the protection this vaccine offers,” said Health Minister Tyler Shandro, in a release.

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“The more people that get vaccinated as quickly as possible, the sooner we can protect our communities, reduce the burden on our healthcare system, and get life back to normal in our province.”

The province says the decision for expanding the eligibility for the Oxford-AstraZeneca is based on public health recommendations that look at the benefit the vaccine offers against the small risk of adverse events.

AstraZeneca has been shown to reduce infection by 60-70 per cent, and severe outcomes like hospitalizations are reduced by 80 per cent.

“I recommend any Albertan who is 40 or older consider getting the AstraZeneca vaccine as soon as possible,” said Chief Medical Officer of Health in Alberta Dr. Deena Hinshaw, in that same release.

“I know some Albertans have concerns about recent cases of blood clots. This is understandable, and it is also important to remember that these cases are extremely rare. This vaccine helps prevent the much higher risks that come from COVID-19 infection, helping to protect both you and those around you.”

There has been some hesitancy with the Oxford-AstraZeneca doses following very rare events of blood clots associated with low levels of blood platelets following immunization. Health Canada says a review of the available data from Europe and the United Kingdom shows that no specific risk factors have been identified.

There has been two cases of the rare blood clots in Canada, one of which was identified in Alberta on Saturday. However, that one case comes after more than 100,000 Oxford-AstraZeneca doses had been administered in Alberta.

RELATED NEWS: Alberta confirms country’s second blood clot after AstraZeneca vaccine dose