As the world observes COVID-19 pandemic anniversary
and a hopeful year following the disastrous impacts of it, the day seems like a
bad news for one of the vaccine candidates ‘AstraZeneca’ after many European countries
suspended the use of the vaccine on Thursday over blood clot concerns. However,
the claims prompted Europe’s medical agency to quickly issue reassurance that
there were no observed health risk associated with the drug, reported AFP.

Also Read: Five things to know about the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine

The stoppage of AstraZeneca by countries like Denmark, Norway and Iceland comes after reports indicated that the jabs were causing blood clots in a few people. Along with the three countries, Austria also suspended the use of the vaccine because a 49-year-old nurse died of “severe blood coagulation problems” after using the vaccine.

Also Read: Texas reopens 100% despite experts’ warnings of coronavirus variants

However, European Medicines Agency (EMA) rebutted the reports and told AFP that the information available on the vaccine so far indicates that
the number of thromboembolic events in vaccinated people is no higher than that
seen in the general population.

Also Read: Italy stops AstraZeneca vaccine shipment to Australia, backed by EU

The United Kingdom, one of the first countries to start a vaccination drive against coronavirus, using AstraZeneca drug also assured that jabs were safe and effective to be used.

“When people are asked to
come forward and take it, they should do so in confidence,” British Prime Minister Boris
Johnson’s spokesman said.