The federal government says Ontario is free to expand eligibility for the AstraZeneca vaccine to any adult over the age of 18 as pharmacists warn they have doses sitting idle because of the age restrictions. "Provinces and territories are free to use AstraZeneca in any population over 18 per Health Canada's license for use in Canada," federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu told reporters on Sunday. "There's nothing stopping the province of Ontario from changing their advice for use within Ontario." Ontario Premier Doug Ford receives the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 at a pharmacy in Toronto on April 9. The association's call is echoed by doctors across Canada who say they also want the AstraZeneca age criteria to drop to 35 or 45 years of age.

Source: CBC News April 18, 2021 20:06 UTC