Canada Vaccination Advisory Committee "Does Not Recommend AstraZeneca for Those Aged 65 and Over"

"Not Safety Concerns but Efficacy Restrictions"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) of Canada has announced that it does not recommend the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for individuals aged 65 and older.

On the 1st (local time), according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), NACI stated, "There is limited information on the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the population aged 65 and older."

NACI added, "This does not mean that the AstraZeneca vaccine is unsafe," and explained, "Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are preferred for those aged 65 and older due to their 'superior efficacy.'"

The immune efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine is known to be 62%, which is lower compared to the 95% efficacy of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

Senior advisor Supriya Sharma of the Canadian Department of Health said, "There is no doubt about the safety of AstraZeneca," and added, "As the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine expands worldwide, more data will be available to verify its efficacy in those aged 65 and older."

CBC reported that it is common for NACI to recommend usage or restrictions after its own evaluation of vaccines and comparisons with other vaccines.

Global News reported that among the 13 provinces in Canada, only Alberta has decided to follow NACI's recommendation regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine so far.

Earlier, on the 26th of last month, the Canadian Department of Health approved the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, stating it can be used for all adults. Currently, Canada has approved the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine as well as the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.