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
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.