AstraZeneca Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine

All COVID-19 vaccines authorized in Canada are proven safe, effective and of high quality.

Note: The COVISHIELD version of this vaccine provided a temporary supply to Canadians through the Interim Order respecting the importation, sale and advertising of drugs for use in relation to COVID-19. It was not transitioned to the Food and Drug Regulations when the interim order expired on September 16, 2021.

The AstraZeneca Vaxzevria® COVID-19 vaccine was authorized for use in Canada under the Food and Drug Regulations and cancelled on December 19th, 2023.

On this page

• Who the vaccine is approved for
• Effectiveness
• Dosage
• Vaccine ingredients
• Possible side effects
• Vaccine review, approval and monitoring
• Get vaccinated

Who the vaccine is approved for

The vaccine is approved for people who are 18 years of age and older. Its safety and effectiveness in people younger than 18 years of age have not yet been established.

Effectiveness

U.S. Clinical trials showed that beginning 2 weeks after the second dose, the AstraZeneca Vaxzevria® COVID-19 vaccine was 74% effective in protecting trial participants against COVID-19.

Dosage

This vaccine requires 2 doses for maximum protection.

The dosing schedule approved by Health Canada is to give the 2 doses 4 to 12 weeks apart, based on evidence from clinical trials.

Your province or territory decides when people receive their first and second doses of the vaccine.

These decisions are based on public health recommendations and the latest evidence.

• Find out how provinces and territories are making COVID-19 vaccine decisions

Mixed dose schedules

A different vaccine may be offered for your second dose. This is known as a mixed vaccine series.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty® or Moderna Spikevax®) should be offered for your second dose. This is the case even if you got a viral vector vaccine as a first dose.

A viral vector vaccine, like AstraZeneca Vaxzevria®, may be recommended by your health care provider depending on your unique health situation. For example, if you're allergic to an mRNA vaccine.

Learn more about:

• mRNA vaccines
• Viral vector vaccines

Vaccine ingredients

Medicinal ingredient

• Adenovirus vector vaccine

Other ingredients

• disodium edetate dihydrate (EDTA)
• ethanol
• L-histidine
• L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate
• magnesium chloride hexahydrate
• polysorbate 80
• sodium chloride
• sucrose
• water for injection

Possible side effects

After getting vaccinated, it's common to have temporary side effects. These can last a few hours to a few days after vaccination.

This is the body's natural response, as it's working hard to build protection against the disease.

Common vaccine side effects may include:

Symptoms at the injection site, such as:	More general symptoms, such as:
redness soreness swelling	chills fatigue joint pain headache mild fever muscle aches

Rare vaccine side effects

Some rare reactions that have been reported and confirmed after taking a viral vector vaccine are:

• Blood clots with low levels of blood platelets
• Capillary leak syndrome
• Guillain-Barré syndrome

A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is also rare. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

• hives (bumps on the skin that are often very itchy)
• swelling of the lips, face, tongue or airway
• difficulty breathing
• increased heart rate
• loss of consciousness
• sudden low blood pressure
• abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea

Call emergency services if you develop or witness any serious symptoms that could be an allergic reaction after vaccination.

Talk to your doctor about any serious allergies or health conditions you may have before you get a vaccine.

This vaccine does not contain common food allergens, such as eggs, shellfish, gluten or nuts.

Reporting a possible side effect or serious reaction

Contact your health care provider if you experience:

• a side effect following vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine
• any persistent, new or worsening symptoms

Health care providers must report possible reactions following vaccination to their local public health authority. The public health authority then reports them to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Reported allergic reactions and side effects to COVID-19 vaccines are published weekly in our Reported side effects following COVID-19 vaccination report.

Vaccine review, approval and monitoring

Health Canada's independent drug review and approval process is recognized around the world for its high standards and rigor. Our decisions are based only on scientific and medical evidence showing that vaccines are safe and effective. The benefits must also outweigh any risks.

Find detailed technical information such as the product monograph and the regulatory decision summary:

• AstraZeneca Vaxzevria® vaccine regulatory information

As COVID-19 vaccines are administered across Canada, our safety monitoring is ongoing. The Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, and provincial and territorial health authorities continue to:

• monitor the use of all COVID-19 vaccines closely
• examine and assess any new safety concerns

Learn about the side effects we're currently monitoring.

Get vaccinated

How to get vaccinated near you

Related links

• COVID-19: Proof of vaccination
• Number of doses given in Canada
• Canada’s vaccine supply and donation strategy
• All drugs and vaccines approved for COVID-19
• COVID-19 vaccines for children and youth
• Interim Order respecting the importation, sale and advertising of drugs for use in relation to COVID-19