Canada’s Major Party Leaders Agree That AstraZeneca Is A ‘Safe & Effective Vaccine’

Leading government officials are reassuring Canadians that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Canada is "safe and effective," after Ontario became the latest province to pause first doses of the vaccine.

Speaking during an interview with CTV News on Tuesday, May 11, Procurement Minister Anita Anand reminded the public that first doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine had been received by all three of Canada's major party leaders.

"The leaders of the political parties, Jagmeet Singh, Erin O'Toole, and our prime minister have all had AstraZeneca," she said, adding that, "They may not be able to agree on policy, but they certainly have agreed AstraZeneca is a safe and effective vaccine to take."

She reiterated that the Canadian government would continue to receive shipments of AstraZeneca doses, as Health Canada has approved it as safe and effective.

On the same day, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams announced that the province would be pausing first doses of the vaccine "out of an abundance of caution due to an observed increase in the rare blood clotting condition."

Alberta has also paused first doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, although this is related to supply issues.