Health Canada says it can't provide a definite timeline for when it will wrap up its review of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

Health Canada says it can't provide a definite timeline for when it will wrap up its review of the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca.

This morning, Britain approved the use of the drug created by the UK based drugmaker and Oxford University.

Health Canada says it needs more information before it can complete its analysis.

Britain became the first country to authorize AstraZeneca’s inexpensive, easy-to-handle COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday, gaining another weapon against the virus amid a resurgence so severe that the government extended lockdowns to three-quarters of England’s population.

The country also changed course by deciding to dispense the first dose of its vaccines to as many people as possible right away, to give them at least some protection.

Until now, authorities have been holding large amounts of vaccine in reserve, to make sure those who receive the first dose get the required second one on time.