8.93°C Vancouver

Mar 15, 2021 5:33 PM -

Trudeau offers reassurance on AstraZeneca safety as European countries suspend use

Share On
trudeau-offers-reassurance-on-astrazeneca-safety-as-european-countries-suspend-use
Pharmacist Barbara Violo holds a vial of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at the Junction Chemist, an independent pharmacy, in Toronto, Friday, March 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Health Canada is closely monitoring European reaction to a batch of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines linked to possible side-effects.

France is suspending the use of the drug until at least tomorrow afternoon, when the European Medicines Agency will issue its recommendation on it.

Germany is also joining a growing list of European countries doing the same, following reports that some people developed blood clots after receiving the shot.

Trudeau says none of the doses Canada received from AstraZeneca were from the same batch, and he's urging everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Trudeau says he is confident in Health Canada's guarantee that vaccines it has approved in Canada are safe.

The PM says he will gladly take any vaccine that is offered to him, when the time comes.

Latest news

canadas-federal-budget-set-for-november-5
CanadaOct 20, 2026

Canada’s Federal Budget Set for November 5

Canada’s federal budget will be presented on November 5, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has officially announced. He confirmed the date during Question Period in the House of Commons on Tuesday. The budget will be the second fall budget under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government. The announcement comes as Canadian businesses continue to face the impact of U.S. tariffs and Canada’s retaliatory measures. Champagne indicated that the budget would include several measures aimed at strengthening Canada’s economy and making it more independent. He said the budget wo
amit-shah-meets-families-of-three-victims-in-punjab-assures-justice
IndiaOct 20, 2026

Amit Shah Meets Families of Three Victims in Punjab, Assures Justice

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Punjab today and met the family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, expressing his condolences and assuring them that justice would be delivered. Jhota was murdered in Mansa while raising his voice against drug abuse.At the beginning of his Punjab visit, Shah met the family of Bikramjit in Gurdaspur. The meeting lasted around 15 minutes. During the meeting, Shah touched the feet of Bikramjit's mother, Surjit Kaur, as a mark of respect and assured the family that a CBI investigation would be conducted.He later met the family of Gulzar, who alleg
poilievre-thanks-albertans-for-voting-to-keep-canada-united
BCOct 20, 2026

Poilievre Thanks Albertans for Voting to Keep Canada United

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre thanked Albertans in Calgary today for voting in favour of keeping Alberta part of a united Canada in the provincial referendum. He said the people of Alberta had delivered a strong and decisive mandate. Born in Alberta, Poilievre had campaigned extensively ahead of the referendum, urging residents to keep the province within Canada. He said those considering separation out of frustration with the current government should remember that Canada is more than just a government — it represents its people, flag, land and shared history. Poilievre said it
BCOct 20, 2026

B.C. Conservatives Announce Election Night Watch Party in Vancouver

The B.C. Conservative Party has announced details of its official election night event ahead of the provincial election results. According to a press release issued by the party, leader Lorne Doerkson will host an election night watch party with campaign staff and supporters at Vancouver’s Rocky Mountaineer Station after British Columbians cast their votes. The venue is the same location where Kerry-Lynne Findlay was declared the party’s leader during a leadership convention five months ago. Doerkson, who is in the race to become B.C.’s premier, is running in the Cariboo-Chilcotin riding
surrey-mayor-doug-mccallum-reacts-to-skytrain-extension-promises-for-newton
BCOct 20, 2026

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum Reacts to SkyTrain Extension Promises for Newton

Newly elected Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum has strongly reacted to announcements by two major provincial parties regarding the proposed SkyTrain extension to the Newton area. In a statement issued by McCallum’s Safe Surrey Coalition, the party said the B.C. Conservatives have made a firm commitment to deliver the SkyTrain project to Newton Town Centre, while the B.C. NDP has offered only to hold another meeting on the issue. McCallum said the project is particularly important for Newton, Surrey’s largest community, which has a population larger than that of many cities but still lacks rapid

Related News