Canadian panel recommends AstraZeneca pause for under 55

TORONTO (AP) — Two officials familiar with the matter say Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization is recommending a pause on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccinations for people under 55 for safety reasons.

The officials confirmed the recommendation on condition on anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly before the announcement. It is a recommendation and it is up to each of Canada’s provinces to decide to follow it or not. It wa

s not immediately clear why that is being recommended in Canada. But several European countries that had suspended using the vaccine over concerns it could cause blood clots have resumed administering it.