Covid-19 Vaccine (Astrazeneca) - Injection

Uses

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is used to protect you against coronavirus disease, also known as COVID-19. Health Canada has approved this vaccine for use in people 18 years and older.

Vaccines may not fully protect everyone who receives them. However, studies show that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine helps protect most people who receive it against COVID-19. The vaccine may help you fight the virus if you are exposed to it later. The vaccine may prevent the illness, or reduce the seriousness of it. Continue to wear a mask and follow other safety guidelines to protect yourself and those around you until otherwise directed by your health care professional and public health officials.

How To Use

Read all vaccine information available from your health care professional before receiving the vaccine. If you have any questions, ask your health care professional.

This vaccine is given by injection into a muscle by a health care professional. It is usually given in the upper arm. Closely follow the vaccination schedule provided by the health care professional. It may help to mark a calendar as a reminder. Keep all scheduled medical appointments.

Side Effects

Vaccine injections may cause pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site. Tiredness, headache, fever, muscle/joint pain, chills, or nausea may also occur. If any of these effects occur, tell your health care professional promptly.

Rarely, temporary symptoms such as fainting/dizziness/lightheadedness, vision changes, numbness/tingling, or seizure-like movements have happened after vaccine injections. Tell your health care professional right away if you have any of these symptoms soon after receiving an injection. Sitting or lying down may relieve symptoms.

Remember that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine has been prescribed because your health care professional has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Most people who received this vaccine did not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• unusual bruising/bleeding

There have been rare reports of a serious condition (capillary leak syndrome) that occurred within a few days after receiving this vaccine. If you notice any of the following symptoms, get medical help right away:

• sudden swelling of the arms/legs
• sudden weight gain
• severe dizziness
• fainting

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine may very rarely cause serious (sometimes fatal) blood clots with low platelets usually within 2-3 weeks of the vaccine injection. Get medical help right away if you have:

• stomach/abdominal pain that doesn't go away
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• swelling in the leg
• sudden/severe headaches
• sudden vision changes (such as blurred vision)
• small red/purple/brown spots on your skin

There have been rare reports of a certain nerve problem known as Guillain-Barre syndrome in people who received this vaccine. Get medical help right away if you have:

• tingling in the hands/feet
• weakness in legs
• unsteadiness
• loss of coordination
• trouble swallowing/speaking/chewing
• trouble moving your eyes

A very serious allergic reaction to this vaccine is rare. Get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your health care professional.

Contact the doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US you may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967. In Canada, you may call the Vaccine Safety Section at Public Health Agency of Canada at 1-866-844-0018.

Precautions

Before you receive this vaccine, tell the health care professional if you are allergic to it; or to any other vaccines; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as polysorbate), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before receiving this vaccine, tell your health care professional your medical history, especially of:

• current fever/illness
• immune system disorders (such as those due to cancer/radiation treatment)
• capillary leak syndrome
• low platelet count

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this vaccine.

It is unknown if this vaccine passes into breast milk. Consult your health care professional before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your health care professional. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Overdose

Not applicable.

Notes

Keep all regular medical and lab appointments.

If you are given a COVID-19 Vaccination Card by the health care professional, keep the vaccination card. You may be required to share this information to help protect public health.

Missed Dose

It is important that you get each vaccination as scheduled. Ask when you should get each dose, and make a note on your calendar. If you miss a dose, ask your health care professional right away for a new dosing schedule.

Storage

Not applicable. This vaccine is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.