Using cryo-electron microscopy, UBC researchers have revealed the structure of the N501Y spike protein mutant, shown above (in blue) bound to two copies of the ACE2 receptor (in red). It's part of the B.117 variant. (Photo from UBC)
A woman in her 40s is in stable condition under treatment at a Vancouver Coastal Health hospital with vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia – a blood-clotting disorder – after receiving a COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine, B.C.’s provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced Thursday.
The woman had symptoms on about the fifth or sixth day following her vaccine and went to her doctor, who followed up with a blood test that found the disorder.
“The likelihood of this happening is about one in 100,000,” Dr. Henry said. “There is a test and there is a treatment. Of course, recognizing symptoms and getting treatment early is important.”
While rare, the potential for this blood clot to develop is between about day four and day 28, after vaccination, Dr. Henry said. If you've had any COVID-19 vaccine and have symptoms like severe headache, shortness of breath, chest pain, severe abdominal pain or swelling or redness in a limb, get medical attention right away, Dr. Henry says.
Nonetheless, Dr. Henry says the AstraZeneca vaccine is an excellent, safe and effective vaccine.
“I recognize it can be alarming to hear of this blood clot,” she says. “If you’ve received this vaccine, you need to know that it is rare and it is treatable.”
Across Canada there have been at least nine cases of vaccine induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), including three women who have died. The other cases include the case in B.C., two in New Brunswick including the death of a woman aged between 60 and 69, two in Alberta, including the death of a 52-year-old woman, two in Quebec, including the death of a 54-year-old woman, and two in Ontario.
Health Canada’s data only goes up to April 23, but says there were six reports of VITT following vaccination with AstraZeneca at that point and 19 reports of deaths following vaccine that are under investigation.
Dr. Henry said the clotting disorder appears to be less likely on second dose with the AstraZeneca vaccine and said people in B.C. who have received it for their first dose would have a choice for their second dose.
In other vaccine news, the Pfizer vaccine is now approved for use in children older than age 12. Dr. Henry says the province is working on an immunization plan for those young people. Also, the schedule for second doses is being expedited with increasing vaccine supply, Dr. Henry said.
Here’s what else is making news this week:
- UBC researchers have revealed the structure of part of the COVID-19 B.117 variant. See image above.
- An Insights West poll found that many Canadians believe in conspiracy theories about COVID-19. Thirty-seven per cent of those surveyed believe COVID-19 was created in a lab and escaped by mistake, while 31 per cent believe it was created in a lab intentionally as a biological weapon.
- Alberta introduced a three-week circuit breaker to stop hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. Schools will close, as will restaurants, hair salons and any business with an outbreak, the CBC reports.
- A study in the UK found that people who have had one dose of COVID-19 vaccine are still very susceptible to infection with variants, the Globe and Mail reported.
- The National Advisory Council on Immunization (NACI) now recommends the AstraZeneca or Johnson and Johnson vaccine for people who don’t want to wait for either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or if they cannot work from home. “NACI continues to preferentially recommend authorized mRNA COVID-19 vaccines due to the excellent protection they provide and the absence of safety signals of concern,” the new guidelines say. “NACI notes that Canada has procured and is expecting enough mRNA vaccines to fully vaccinate the currently eligible Canadian population before fall 2021.”
- Herd immunity may not be achievable, but there is still hope the COVID-19 virus could become manageable as more people get vaccinated, the New York Times reports.
- More than 5,000 people tested positive for COVID-19 after flying back to Canada since mandatory quarantine hotels began in late February, the Globe and Mail reported.
- One million doses of COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in B.C. in May, Dr. Henry said.
- Canada is working on a vaccine passport for travel, the Globe and Mail reports.
- The B.C. Centre for Disease Control acknowledged this week that COVID-19 is airborne, the Vancouver Sun reports.
- Health Canada approved the Pfizer vaccine for use in children as young as 12, the Globe and Mail reports.
- The Pacific National Exhibition is cancelled in Vancouver for the second year.
- Expect an announcement soon from B.C. Premier John Horgan about paid sick leave. Dr. Henry says she has been advocating for paid sick days for more than a year. " There are many workplaces where people just don't have the ability to stay home,” she said. “It is incumbent on the owners of workplaces to ensure that workers who are sick are able to stay home." Health Minister Adrian Dix told listeners to “stay tuned” for an announcement from Horgan.
I was fortunate to have my vaccine this week, under the age-based program. The process was smooth and efficient and the side effects were few. Let’s hope the rollout continues that way.
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