European countries suspend AstraZeneca vaccination amid blood clotting claims [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• European countries suspended their vaccine rollout of AstraZeneca amid issues of blood clotting incidents among individuals who got the shots.
• UK scientists and regulators would hold a meeting to address the growing concerns but noted that the vaccine is safe.
• German regulators found a “conspicuous accumulation” of “thrombocytopenia” cases among few people.

Amid alleged fatal blood clots among those who have been injected with AstraZeneca, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, alongside UK scientists and regulators, vowed that the shots are safe and there’s no evidence to back such claims.

UK’s neighboring countries have already suspended their inoculation rollout while investigations are ongoing.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA), though, in an attempt to influence nations from halting the inoculation scheme of AstraZeneca, argued that the rate of clots “in vaccinated people seems not to be higher than that seen in the general population.”

As they presently probe on the blood clot, the agency noted that the jabs’ advantages  “outweigh the risks of side effects.” They will discuss in the coming days to tackle the issue.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the UK’s drug regulator, said that AstraZeneca’s vaccine is safe to take.

Medical professionals also emphasized that the blood clots were just a “coincidence.” Other health experts also said that making the blood clot warning as a reason not to take the shots was a “step too far.”

In Spain, the health minister has just declared a two-week restraining order on using the vaccine. The Netherlands also imposed a temporary ban on the drug.

In Germany, Health Minister Jens Spahn said that the halting of vaccines was called a precautionary measure and as advised by the Paul Ehrlich Institute regulators.

The regulators observed a “conspicuous accumulation” of seven cases of “thrombocytopenia,” a type of blood clotting that occurs with an irregular low blood platelet.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron announced that the nation would suspend the vaccine’s use for a day as they wait for EMA’s advisory on Tuesday afternoon.

“The decision which has been taken out of precaution is to suspend vaccinating with the AstraZeneca vaccine in the hope that we can resume quickly if the EMA gives the green light,” Macron said during a press conference with Spain’s prime minister. “We are therefore suspending its use until tomorrow afternoon.”

In Italy, regulators on Monday also said that they would suspend the nationwide rollout “as a precaution and temporarily.”

Late Monday, North Shropshire Conservative MP Owen Paterson accused the EU of broadcasting “fake news” amid the rollout crisis.

“EU fake news against the @AstraZeneca vaccine began when the @EU_Commission bungled its orders for AZ. It was then amplified by @EmmanuelMacron. The EU’s hostility is now getting ridiculous. As @MHRAgovuk says, evidence confirms that the AZ vaccine is safe.”

Source: The Sun