LONDON (CU)_British health secretary Matt Hancock insists that the Oxford/ AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is safe, after more European nations suspended its use on Monday (15 March) owing to concerns over blood clots. He urged the public to listen to the regulators and receive the vaccine as soon as they got the opportunity.
Around 13 countries, including many from Europe, have suspended the use of the jab until there is further clarification on its safety.
However, according to Hancock, the World Health Organisation, as well as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) believe the vaccine is safe. United Kingdom’s medicines watchdog, the MHRA, also said that evidence “does not suggest” the vaccine causes clots.
“We keep the effects of these vaccines under review all the time and we know that the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is saving lives in the UK right now so if you get the call, get the jab,” he said.
When inquired if the European suspensions caused people to decline the jab, the health secretary said that “enthusiasm for getting the vaccine is incredibly strong”.
After a review of 17 million patients who received their vaccine in Europe and the United Kingdom, manufacturer AstraZeneca found that fewer than 40 cases of blood clots were reported.
In a bid to reassure the British public, Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he would be happy to take the vaccine when his turn comes. Meanwhile, during a visit to a pop-up vaccination centre in London, the Duchess of Cornwall also revealed that she too had received the Oxford/ AstraZeneca jab earlier this year.
According to latest government figures, more than 24 million people have received the first dose of a COVID vaccine in the United Kingdom, while around 1.7 million have received a second dose.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Europe, Germany, Italy, France and Spain were among the countries who recently joined Denmark, which was the first country to pause the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Although Germany, France and Italy have said the move was a “precautionary measure”, and that they are awaiting the outcome of an investigation which will be conducted by the EMA, however, the regulator has said earlier that they are still “firmly convinced” of the benefits of the Oxford/ AstraZeneca jab.
