Premier John Horgan getting first dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine today

British Columbia Premier John Horgan will be receiving his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday.

Horgan announced on Twitter that he had booked his appointment and would be receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine at a local pharmacy.

“Let’s show all British Columbians that the best vaccine is the one that’s available to you now,” he wrote.

Booked my appointment! I’ll be getting the AstraZeneca vaccine at a local pharmacy tomorrow.

Let’s show all British Columbians that the best vaccine is the one that’s available to you now.https://t.co/FHs1sjtdAn

— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) April 16, 2021

The AstraZeneca pharmacy program is one of several immunization streams in the province. Adults between the age of 55 and 65 can register online and receive either an AstraZeneca or COVISHIELD vaccination at a local pharmacy.

The use of AstraZeneca is currently suspended in Canada for those under the age of 55. The recommendation was made by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) after rare blood clots occurred following the use of the vaccine.

The event, called vaccine-induced prothrombic immune thrombocytopenia (VIPIT), occurred primarily in women under 55 and transpired four to 16 days after vaccination.

• See also: 
  • BC rolling out AstraZeneca vaccinations for 55 to 65-year-olds in Lower Mainland
  • Restaurant, gyms among biggest COVID-19 cluster sites in BC: health officials
  • COVID-19 modelling suggests “slight blunting” in BC’s infectious contact rate

Health Canada’s Director of the Bureau of Medical Science, Dr. March Berthiaaume insists that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccination outweigh the risks.

“Get whichever vaccine is available to you. The longer you wait to get vaccinated, the longer you’re not protected,” he said at a conference. “We know the risk of getting infected and ending up in hospital — that is very real.”

According to Health Canada, the risk of developing a blood clot following immunization with AstraZeneca is about 1 in 150,000.

By comparison, the risk of developing a clot while hospitalized with COVID-19 is about one in five.