Several countries have suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, while others are continuing the rollout.
There have been reports of blood clots developing after use of the vaccine, but there has been no evidence presented that the blood clots were caused by the AstraZeneca vaccine, The Associated Press reported.
The German Health Minister said that the country’s oversight body, as well as the European Medicines Agency, have said there is no evidence of an increase of blood clots in connection with the vaccine.
Denmark was the first country to suspend use of the vaccine as a precaution. Norway, Iceland, Bulgaria and Thailand have all paused its distribution, CNBC reported.
Austria and Italy are suspending the use of some batches of the vaccine, CNBC reported.
There is one batch that some countries are saying is connected to severe side effects.
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Spain, however, has already distributed all of its vaccines that are part of the batch in question, Reuters reported.
The country’s health minister said the number of blood clots from those who received the batch was no higher than occurring in the general population.
The World Health Organization announced that there is no established connection between the shot and developing a clot, the BBC reported. But it is investigating the claims.
The United States is not dispensing the AstraZeneca vaccine but only using ones from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. As of March 11, there had been more than 131 million doses distributed, with 98 million administered, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Cox Media Group
