Calgary man recovering from adverse reaction to vaccine, says new federal support program was needed
Matt Dawe is slowly starting to regain muscle strength after spending two weeks in hospital due, he says, to an adverse reaction to an AstraZeneca vaccination.
“I’m not a doctor, but don’t ignore your symptoms when you’re had these vaccines. Rare does not mean impossible, right?” Dawe said, in an interview with CTV News.
Dawe received his first dose April 23. On May 5, he was admitted to the South Health Campus after symptoms of numbness and tingling progressed.
“You can go to sleep and wake up and not be able to feel a new part of your body, and that’s absolutely terrifying," he said.
A day later, a neurologist diagnosed the 40-year-old with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare nerve disorder. Alberta Health said it occurs when the body’s immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. It often occurs after a viral or bacterial infection.
Dawe said he hit a low point on Mother’s Day.
“I was physically unable to sit up from any sort of incline. I could move my arms but barely overcome gravity, things like coming up to touch your face was a very exerting task. I had zero sensation below the waist. I could still move my legs just no tactile sensations.”
Matt Dawe and partner
ADVERSE EVENTS RARE
Dawe was discharged on May 20. He lost 20 pounds during his two weeks in hospital.
According to Alberta Health, there have been two cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome reported.
“To date, 427 people have reported adverse events out of more than 2.8 million doses, meaning that 99.98 per cent of vaccines administered did not produce any adverse event,” said Tom McMillan, assistant director, communications, Alberta Health.
The bulk of those were allergic reactions, swelling of the lymph nodes and an upset stomach.
Of the 433 adverse events reported, 279 are related to Pfizer. 95 related to Moderna and 59 related to AstraZeneca.
Dawe said it's tough to be part of that rare group.
“My life is going to be invariably changed because of the decision to try and support the greater health of the community. And the relatively low probability of getting this, messes with your head a bit, right?”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.