New Brunswick suspends the use of AstraZeneca for anyone under the age of 55

New Brunswick has suspended the use of the AstraZeneca for anyone under the age of 55. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization, known as NACI, made the recommendation following studies in Europe of rare cases of people under 55 who developed blood clots up to 20 days after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine. Some New Brunswickers under 55 such as frontline workers and school staff have already received a first dose of AstraZeneca. 

New Brunswick Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell says they are currently looking into whether or not these individuals will be able to receive a vaccine by a different manufacturer such Pfizer or Moderna for their second dose. AstraZeneca will continue to be administered to people over the age of 55.  

"We will have more information soon, but it wouldn't be likely if you are under 55 if you will get a second dose of AstraZeneca," said Dr. Russell. 

Although cases of COVID-19 remain low across most of the province, Zone 4 is where the majority of New Brunswick's cases continue to be located. Due to the transmissibility of the variant, the Red Alert level of Recovery has been expanded to include almost all of Zone 4. The rest of the province remains in the Yellow level of recovery. 

The 23rd draft of a by-law respecting short-term rental properties in Saint Andrews is currently available on the Town of Saint Andrew's website for the purposes of receiving public feedback. At a special council meeting on Monday night, 4 out of 5 councillors who were present voted in favour of tabling the document so the public has time to review the latest draft and provide their input.

There will now be a special meeting in April to review the bylaw again with additional community feedback. At that point, Council will have to choose between: Tabling the document for the next Council; moving the motion forward to Third Reading to pass it before the municipal elections; or defeating the motion.