TORONTO — Ontario is reporting its first death associated with a rare blood clotting disorder linked to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
Dr. Barbara Yaffe, the province's associate medical officer of health, said a man in his 40s who received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at the end of April passed away a few weeks later.
While the death is still being investigated, Yaffe said it's been confirmed that the man had vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia, also known as VITT, at the time.
"The risks associated with this vaccine are rare, but they are real," she said.
"I want to extend my deepest and heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of this individual in the wake of this tragic death."
There have been 13 cases of VIIT in the province so far, Yaffe said.
Nearly one million people in Ontario aged 40 and older have received the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Ontario stopped giving out first doses of AstraZeneca earlier this month after what it said was an increased risk of the rare blood clots associated with the vaccine.
Yaffe said those who received a first dose of AstraZeneca made the right choice.
"I want to take this opportunity to reiterate that those who received AstraZeneca vaccine should feel very confident in their decision," she said.
Experts maintain the blood-clotting syndrome associated with the AstraZeneca shot is exceedingly rare and treatable in most cases.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2021.
The Canadian Press
