MONTRÉAL, Québec (CU)_Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on Monday (March 1) advised against the use of the Oxford/ AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on people who are 65 years and older, paving the way for younger populations to receive the newly authorised vaccine much earlier than expected.
Although drug regulator Health Canada, on Friday, authorised the emergency use of the vaccine for people who are 18 years and older, the committee noted that the clinical trial data available on how well the vaccine worked in those who are 65 years and older was too limited. Nevertheless, they added that “emerging real-world evidence” in countries that have already begun administering the vaccine suggested a potential benefit and no safety concerns.
While the committee’s recommendations are not binding, they may however influence provincial vaccination plans.
The NACI says that the Oxford/ AstraZeneca should be offered to people under 65, as long the limitations of the vaccine, in terms of effectiveness, is outweighed by the benefits of getting a good vaccine earlier.
The panel noted however that individuals must be made aware of these limitations and how long they may have to wait otherwise for the Pfizer/ BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, which the committee says are preferred owing to their “superior efficacy”.
Recommendations made by the NACI helps provincial governments to determine how best to use the vaccines available to them, although they may make their own calls about what to do. Therefore, it will now be up to provinces to determine if the Oxford/ AstraZeneca will be administered to individuals under the age of 65.
