Health Canada looks into reports of blood clots linked to J&J COVID vaccine

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – The prime minister is urging Canadians to hold on and keep following public health measures as variants spread quickly across the country, and as Health Canada looks into reports of blood clots associated with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

“Obviously, we’re following closely developments in the United States,” Justin Trudeau said Tuesday, of that country’s decision to advise a pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Six patients experienced blood clots. One of those patients has died, while another is in critical condition.

The six cases were among women between the ages of 18 and 48, out of nearly 7 million doses administered.

Health Canada is investigating the matter. It is also contacting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Johnson & Johnson to get more information.

Canada has ordered 10 million doses of the vaccine. Trudeau says we are still due to receive our first shipment at the end of the month, and Health Canada will always put the safety of Canadians first.

Related articles:

Meanwhile, the prime minister is also raising concerns about the spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Canada, saying the situation is extremely serious.

“Right now, more contagious and dangerous variants are spreading and threatening the progress we’ve made,” he said.

Record number of COVID patients in ICU

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says we now have a record number of COVID-19 patients filling intensive care units across the country.

Tam says an average of 970 people have been in ICUs over the last week. The previous highest seven-day average was 880 in mid-January.

Tam posted to social media on Tuesday, announcing that she received a first dose of vaccine.

-With files from the Canadian Press

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today