Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw has issued a statement in relation to an AstraZeneca related death that has occurred in Alberta. A woman in her 50’s has died from VITT (vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia) related complications. 

The woman’s identity is being kept private due to patient confidentiality and respect for the family. 

“While any death is tragic, it is important to remember that the risks of dying or suffering other severe outcomes from COVID-19 remain far greater than the risk following AstraZeneca vaccine,” said Hinshaw. 

This is the second case of VITT in Alberta and only death related to VITT out of more than 253,000 doses that have been administered in Alberta. 

“The global frequency of VITT has been estimated at approximately one case in 100,000 to 250,000 doses of vaccine. In comparison, Albertans 50 to 59 who are diagnosed with COVID-19 are 350 times more likely to die from that infection than to experience VITT after an AstraZeneca vaccine. They are also at least 1,500 times more likely to be hospitalized from COVID-19 than experiencing VITT after getting AstraZeneca,” said Hinshaw.