European Union Regulator ‘Convinced’ Benefits Are More Than Risks Of AstraZeneca Vaccine
Blood Clots In Body Could Result In Myocardial Infarction And Prevent Blood Flow To Organs
The European Union’s medicines regulator has stated that they are firmly convinced regarding the beneficial health effects of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 infection as it outweighs the potential risk factors. They have reiterated that there has been no indication which could confirm that the coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca is the main cause for the formation of clots in the blood after multiple leadings states in the European Union has temporarily paused the rollout after rumored claims.
Blood clots formation
The head of the European Medicines Agency, Emer Cooke, has said that the regulating body is standing still on its decision regarding the finalized approval for administration of the vaccine. A thorough investigation is currently being conducted for the reported cases which have developed blood clots in a handful of individuals after being injected with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The World Health Organization has advised and urged the countries which have paused the process of injection of vaccination in their general population to continue it, to prevent further transmission of infection among people. The experts on vaccine safety from the World Health Organization are also scheduled to meet on Tuesday for a review regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine.
According to the EMA, the cases reported for the formation of blood clots in people injected with the AstraZeneca vaccine is not higher than it is observed in a generalized population. Emer Cooke said that every year, thousands of individuals across the European Union developed clots in the blood due to various factors, but the organization is currently working to establish whether the reported cases have solely occurred due to the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine or are due to other external factors.
While the research investigation is ongoing, the EMA is currently firmly convinced regarding the positive benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine against coronavirus infection. Although there are associated risks of admission in a medical facility or even death, all risks are outweighed by the favorable effects. The conclusive results from the European Medicine Agency are scheduled to be revealed to the public on Thursday.
Suspension of vaccine administration in EU
Several countries located across the European Union have paused the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine across their nations, including Spain, Italy, France, and Germany. The government of the countries has given a statement saying that they have suspended the rollout after getting reports of the formation of blood clots in some of the vaccine recipients, which could turn into a life-threatening condition if not properly diagnosed and treated.
Blood clots are solid platelet clumps that are formed in the blood and could easily block any blood vessel across the body. If the blood clots are stuck in any major vessel, they could stop the blood supply to the area where the vessel is supplying blood and cause tissue damage. In case if the clot gets stuck in any coronary artery, it could result in myocardial infarction and could be fatal.
The countries which have temporarily suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine have stressed that the pause is only a precautionary measure to prevent any case of fatality in vaccinated individuals. According to the Health Minister of Germany, Jens Spahn, the pause is a professional decision, and the country is only following the advice of the vaccine institute. The Finance Minister of Germany has hoped that the AstraZeneca vaccine could be used again and is hoping that the EMA would be able to swiftly decide the procedure.
Several of the politicians and medical experts from Germany, where the rate of infectious transmission is rapidly increasing, has given the argument that the AstraZeneca vaccine should be continuously administered until after the finalized decision given by the EMA in case if it is unsafe for public administration.
A Free Democrat spokesperson has said that this decision had sent back the overall administration and AstraZeneca vaccine rollout. The Green health experts have given their argument, saying that the required authorities could have provided a detailed account regarding the manageable risk factors and continuous usage of the drug before administration.
Other countries in European Union, including Austria, have currently stopped the use of certain drug batches. Meanwhile, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Poland have said that they would be continuing the injection of the AstraZeneca vaccine in their country’s population.
Due to the rise in the number of active coronavirus cases in the region, nationwide precautionary measures have been tightened, along with concerns regarding the vaccination drive across Europe, which has already been affected due to the shortage of doses available.
Read also Use Of Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine Stopped In Many Countries