(Canadian Press)

By David Opinko

Death of Albertan linked to complications from AstraZeneca vaccine

May 4, 2021 | 10:17 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Alberta Health Services is reporting the first death in the province directly related to complications after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw says a woman in her 50’s suffered from vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).

It was not stated where in Alberta the patient was from.

“Out of respect for patient confidentiality and the privacy of the grieving family, we will not be providing additional case information.”

“The Alberta case marks the second VITT case and only death related to VITT out of more than 253,000 doses of AstraZeneca or CoviSHIELD/AstraZeneca that have been administered in Alberta to date.”

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According to AHS, the global frequency of VITT has been estimated at approximately one case in 100,000-250,000 doses of vaccine.

Despite the tragic circumstances surrounding this case, Dr. Hinshaw asserts that people are still better off getting vaccinated against COVID-19 than contracting the virus without any protection.

“In comparison, Albertans 50 to 59 who are diagnosed with COVID-19 are 350 times more likely to die from that infection than to experience VITT after an AstraZeneca vaccine. They are also at least 1,500 times more likely to be hospitalized from COVID-19 than experiencing VITT after getting AstraZeneca.”

Between AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Pfizer, 1,668,455 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in Alberta as of the end of May 3.

276 adverse events following immunization have been reported, meaning it occurs about 0.016 per cent of the time.

It bears repeating that the death being reported today is the first such instance in Alberta.