Health Canada has finally added immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) as one of the many life-threatening side effects of COVID vaccines, specifically the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
On Tuesday, Health Canada updated the labels for the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to include the autoimmune disorder after ITP was reported as a side effect, which has killed people internationally — though no Canadian has currently died of the disorder.
They say that the disorder usually develops within 28 days of vaccination and that Canadians should seek medical attention if they experience any of the following side effects: unexplained bleeding, bruising, small purplish spots not at the site of vaccination, shortness of breath, chest pain, leg pain or swelling, or persistent abdominal pain to seek immediate medical attention.
So far, over 224,000 Canadians have been double vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, and over 9,000 have received at least one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
According to the Mayo Clinic, ITP is “a disorder that can lead to easy or excessive bruising and bleeding,” resulting from “unusually low levels of platelets — the cells that help blood clot.”
Moreover, the disorder can be potentially fatal, as it can cause bleeding in the brain; though, this is far rarer than other symptoms.
The Mayo Clinic says that ITP usually happens “when your immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys platelets,” which “may be triggered by infection with HIV, hepatitis, or H. pylori,” and now, according to Health Canada, simply being vaccinated with the AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
