COVID-19 Vaccines: Benefits outweigh the risks

A global pandemic naturally creates uncertainty. Information comes from all directions, and it’s not always easy to stay on top of the latest news. That’s why it’s important to consider the source of your information, and always look for the most reliable, reputable resource. 

Most of us are not scientists, medical researchers or health regulators. Who then do we consider the most reliable source for vaccine information when we are not part of this circle of experts? The agencies who are charged with ensuring the safety of our vaccines for all members of the public include: Health Canada and provincially, Saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 and the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

Concerns have been raised by some about the AstraZeneca vaccine and reports of blood clots. These cases are extremely rare and have occurred in a very small number of patients. Your chance of getting a blood clot from AstraZeneca is about four in one million. You have a much higher chance of getting a blood clot from taking a birth control pill (900 in one million), being an average Canadian (1,290 in one million), or being hospitalized with a COVID-19 infection (147,000 in one million). Twenty per cent of hospitalized patients and one to two per cent of uncomplicated COVID-19 infections are developing blood clots. 

Delaying immunization will leave you and those around you unprotected and at risk of COVID-19 exposure and disease. The vaccine offered to you will be based on vaccine availability, and the one approved for your age or health conditions.

Follow the Saskatchewan Health Authority on Twitter and Facebook for more stories and updates on COVID-19. For further information on the Vaccine Delivery Plan, please visit www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-vaccine.