AstraZeneca updates efficacy data, label for COVID-19 vaccine

By News Staff, Fil Martino

AstraZeneca has updated the efficacy data for its COVID-19 vaccine.

The drugmaker now says the shot is 76 per cent effective against mild symptoms and 100 per cent effective at preventing severe disease from the virus. In trial volunteers aged 65 and older the vaccine was 85 per cent effective in preventing symptoms.

The new numbers are not that different from the data released back on Monday, that prompted health officials in the U.S. to express concern that the drugmaker may have used outdated information.

AstraZeneca says the latest findings confirm, their COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective in adults of all ages.

The shot has yet to be approved in the U.S.


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Health Canada has also updated the label for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

This is to provide information on very rare reports of blood clots associated with low levels of blood platelets following immunization with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

According to Health Canada following reports of rare adverse events in Europe, it has worked closely with European regulators to review the evidence and has updated the product monograph.

The department has also issued guidance for healthcare professionals and vaccine recipients on the potential symptoms to monitor.

Health Canada officials are reassuring Canadians that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine continues to be safe and effective at protecting them against the virus.

It encourages people to get immunized with any of the COVID-19 vaccines that are authorized in Canada.

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