"What we're saying — and what we've been saying all along — is that mRNA vaccines are the preferred vaccines," says Dr. Shelley Deeks, the vice-chair of NACI.
Deeks says there's a shift in recommendations. NACI now estimates the frequency of the vaccine-induced rare blood clots (VITT) is closer to 1 in 100,000. People who can work from home - or those in areas with lower rates of transmission - may just want to wait for an mRNA shot.
NACI says AstraZeneca and J&J shots should be used by people who don't want to wait for Pfizer and Moderna or those who can't really afford to wait (essential workers).
"The viral vector vaccines are very effective vaccines but there is a safety signal - a safety risk ... and the issue with the safety signal is that although it's very rare, it is very serious," Deeks said of AZ shots. "So, individuals need to have an informed choice."
"When we first provided recommendations for COVID vaccines in Canada, we did not know about the vaccine safety signal. Now, there's been a vaccine safety signal and we modified the recommendations," Deeks said.
"All COVID vaccines are safe and effective. Individuals that receive an AZ vaccine and are worried should be vigilant for the symptoms, particularly if it's within one to three weeks after receiving a vaccine," Deeks said.
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