Doug Ford Says He Would Cancel AstraZeneca Vaccines 'In A Heartbeat' If Necessary

During an announcement made at Niagara Falls Monday afternoon, Premier Doug Ford spoke on the hesitancy around the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Concerns regarding blood clots in people under the age of 55 years caused the premier to say he "won't hesitate to cancel [the vaccines] in half a heartbeat if it's going to put anyone in harm."

Editor's Choice: One Canadian Province Has Just Suspended The AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

"If there are any issues [..] below 55, I won't hesitate to say enough. I'd rather wait a month or two months for Pfizer and Moderna and J&J than roll the dice on this AstraZeneca," he continued.

The premier did say, per "guidance from the federal government," that AstraZeneca has been deemed safe for people over 55 years of age and that those who have received an AstraZeneca vaccine in Ontario "have not rolled the dice."

A report released Monday by CBC News stated that Canada could see a pause in the distribution of the AstraZeneca and that a decision is expected today.

Update: Ontario has announced the pause of the AstraZeneca vaccine. 

Only hours after Doug Ford made his announcement, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, Dr. David Williams, revealed that the province has paused the use of AstraZeneca for those under the age of 55. 

The doctor revealed that while the province has only been administering the vaccine to those over 60, they want to get the full picture before allowing it to be used on a younger group. 

However, Williams ensured that there should be "no concern for those who have received [the vaccine] so far."

Other provinces have also paused the vaccine. 

Throughout Monday, other parts of Canada have announced they are pausing the use of the AstraZeneca vaccines. 

P.E.I announced that it would be cancelling appointments for those between the ages of 18 and 29. 

While Quebec and Manitoba announced that they would be pausing the administration of the vaccine for those under 55.