National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is lowering its age recommendation for Oxford-AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine to younger age groups.NACI now recommends the vaccine be used in people 30 years of age and older, “if the individual does not wish to wait for an mRNA vaccine and the benefits outweigh the risks,” said Shelley Deeks, NACI’s vice-chair.Previously, NACI’s guidance said the shot should only be used on those aged 55 and older.Deeks said NACI “weighs the benefits” of the vaccine against the risks associated with COVID-19 infection.
She said data from Europe and Health Canada’s previous safety assessment were considered in making the new recommendation.“NACI continues to analyze the data as it becomes available and.