WHO Defends AstraZeneca Vaccine as EU Countries Suspend Use Over Blood Clot Concerns

By Staff, Agencies

The World Health Organization [WHO] said on Friday there was no reason to suspend the COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine by AstraZeneca/Oxford University after a number of nations moved to do so.

"Yes, we should continue using the AstraZeneca vaccine," WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told reporters, adding: "There is no indication to not use it."

She also said that a WHO expert advisory panel is now reviewing the vaccine.

The statement comes as a number of European nations limited or suspended the vaccine's use amid concerns that it could result in blood clots.

Bulgaria, Austria, Denmark, Iceland and Norway stopped using the UK-developed jab, which is currently being investigated by the European Medicines Agency [EMA].

On Thursday, the EMA said it was looking into reports that some of the people who have received the jab experienced issues with blood coagulation, resulting in the formation of clots that can block a blood vessel.

A 49-year-old Austrian nurse and a 50-year-old Italian man reportedly died of coagulation-related issues shortly after receiving the jab.

Announcing the review, the EMA said that countries could continue using the vaccine as there was "no indication" the clots were linked with the inoculation, an assessment echoed on Friday by the WHO.