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Emer Cooke, head of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), explained on Wednesday that studies conducted by the agency conclude that the link between AstraZeneca’s vaccine and the rare cases of clotting is likely. However, it determined that these are adverse effects.
According to the studies, it affected women. However, he did not rule out risk factors in other groups and explained that if treated in time, there are no complications.
“So far, most of the cases reported have occurred in women under 60 years of age within 2 weeks of vaccination. Based on the currently available evidence, specific risk factors have not been confirmed,” said Cooke.
In addition, the agency recalled that, in its view, the benefits of the vaccine outweigh its disadvantages: “The reported combination of blood clots and low blood platelets is very rare, and the overall benefits of the vaccine in preventing COVID-19 outweigh the risks of side effects.”
The agency also indicated that it is conducting further studies on the cases and maintained that the drug really works. It also stressed that thanks to the work done to monitor the safety of the vaccine, it was able to deal with these cases, which, it insisted, were rare.
“This case shows that our system works. These very rare and unusual events were collected, identified, analyzed and we have made a clear recommendation based on science to allow the safe and effective use of the vaccine.”
Use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine in the U.K.
Meanwhile, the UK recommended, according to the EFE news agency, to offer alternative vaccines to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine to those under 30 years of age. The measure was taken after a possible link between it and unusual thrombi in young adults was detected. This was announced by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization.
This population group will have the option of choosing to be vaccinated with the Pfizer and Moderna preparations, also approved in this country, although regulators continue to recommend the AstraZeneca vaccine in older adults, considering that the benefits outweigh the risks.
