U.K. Regulator Recommends Continued Use Of AstraZeneca Vaccine

April 3, 2021

An initial analysis by the EMA found the AstraZeneca jab safe after several countries suspended its use. The agency also said it could not "definitively" rule out a link between the shot and blood clots.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Thursday declared the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine safe for use after it was suspended by 13 EU member states.

The EMA held a special meeting to look into the connection between unusual blood clot disorders discovered in several cases after people had received the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Germany, France, Spain, and others temporarily halted vaccinations with the British-Swedish shot after EU member states reported 30 cases of blood clot disorders, including a rare and difficult-to-treat condition called cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT).

Some 5 million people have so far been administered the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the EU.

What did the EMA say?

Emer Cooke, the executive director of the EMA, said the AstraZeneca vaccine is a "safe and effective option to protect citizens from COVID-19." The EMA said the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks after coming to a "clear scientific conclusion."

At the same time, Cooke said the EMA could not "definitively rule out a link" between the vaccine and blood clots.

The EMA will conduct additional scientific studies into the matter and recommended that leaflets about the vaccine include information about blood clot risks to raise public awareness.

How have European countries reacted?

Following the initial assessment, several other European countries said they would soon re-start vaccinations with AstraZeneca doses.

Germany plans to restart its vaccinations on Friday, Health Minister Jens Spahn said.

Italy and France will also resume administering the vaccine starting on Friday, both countries' prime ministers announced. Their plans mirror those of Latvia, Lithuania, and Bulgaria.

Sweden said it would make a decision next week on whether to resume administering the vaccine.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French Prime Minister Jean Castex both said that they will be given the AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday.

Source: BBC
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