Concerns about the AstraZeneca vaccine were part of what was discussed on Thursday, April 15 by Dr. Deena Hinshaw.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is available to people age 55 to 64 across Alberta. Appointments can be booked at participating pharmacies and online through Alberta Health Services (AHS). She also said that walk-in vaccinations are available at 26 pharmacies in Calgary and Edmonton.

AHS is going to open two walk-in AstraZeneca vaccine clinics in Calgary and Edmonton.Hinshaw said that people don’t need to live in the two cities to get their dose. People in the 55 to 64 age group regardless of where they live can walk into these locations and receive their vaccine or find a participating pharmacy nearby and get their vaccine.

Hinshaw also spoke about the effectiveness of this vaccine.

She said AstraZeneca’s first dose reduces infection by 60 to 70 per cent and reduces hospitalizations by 80 per cent including against the B117 variant of COVID-19.

She said there are some risks, one is that of rare blood clots.

“In rare cases the vaccine can trigger platelets, which are a clotting agent in our blood, to clump together. This can cause blood clots to form and lower the number of platelets in our blood.”

She said this is also treatable. Some of the symptoms are severe headaches, or abdominal pain in the four weeks after getting the vaccine. She told people experiencing those symptoms to seek medical attention.

Hinshaw says there was one confirmed case in Canada of the rare blood clot associated with the vaccine, and none in Alberta.

She said reports of blood clots within the four weeks of taking the vaccine are being investigated.

“AstraZeneca’s benefit is preventing infection in severe outcomes and the risks are rare,” she said, “It is my professional opinion that the benefits of these vaccines outweigh any rare risks that may be associated. Vaccines save lives and vaccines will get us through this pandemic.”

Hinshaw said that as soon as Albertans are offered a vaccine, whichever it may be, that they should take it to protect their health and the health of those around them.

For a list of pharmacies accepting walk-ins, as well as those taking appointment-based bookings, visit the Alberta Blue Cross website.