Update - Health Canada issues label change on the AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccines
OTTAWA, ON, June 29, 2021
Products: AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccines
Issue: Health Canada is updating the product monograph—or label—for the AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD COVID-19/ vaccines to add capillary leak syndrome as a potential side effect, with a warning for patients with a history of capillary leak syndrome to not get the AstraZeneca or COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccine. The label has also been updated with information about very rare events of blood clots associated with low levels of platelets following immunization.
What to do: Talk to your healthcare professional if you have any questions about the AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccine. If you have previously had capillary leak syndrome, talk to your healthcare professional about your COVID-19 vaccine options. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of capillary leak syndrome which would include rapid swelling of the arms and legs and sudden weight gain, which can be accompanied by feeling faint. In addition, seek prompt medical attention if you experience any symptoms that could be thrombosis with thrombocytopenia following vaccination.