BERLIN (AP) – Sweden on Tuesday became the latest country to discontinue the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as European regulators analyze safety data following reports of dangerous blood clots in some recipients.
The company and international regulators continue to say the vaccine is safe, but many countries in other parts of the world continue their vaccination campaigns.
The European Medicines Agency plans to meet on Thursday to review the results of the vaccine experts and decide whether action should be taken. The agency has said so far that the benefits of receiving the shot outweigh the risk of side effects.
The Swedish public health agency said on Tuesday it would suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine pending the outcome of the EMA meeting. Germany, France, Italy and Spain were among the countries that suspended vaccine use on Monday.
“The decision is a precautionary measure,” Anders Tegnell, Sweden’s chief epidemiologist, said in a statement.
Also Tuesday, the German government said it would postpone a virtual summit of state governors until after the EMA meeting, called to review the country’s vaccination efforts. The summit was scheduled for Wednesday,
The AstraZeneca vaccine is one of three authorized for use on the European continent. But growing concern about the shooting has created another obstacle to EU vaccination action, which has been plagued by shortages and other obstacles and is far behind the efforts of the UK and the US.
AstraZeneca said there was no evidence that the vaccine had an increased risk of blood clots. 37 blood clots were reported among the more than 17 million people who received the vaccine in the EU and the UK, the company said.
“This is much lower than would be expected to occur naturally in a general population of this size and is similar to other authorized COVID-19 vaccines,” said AstraZeneca.
Much of Asia has raised concerns about the AstraZeneca jab, with the Thai prime minister receiving a blow on Tuesday as the country began launching the vaccine.
“There are people who have concerns,” Prayuth Chan-ocha said after the vaccination. “But we have to believe in doctors, to believe in our medical professionals.”
Thailand was the first country outside Europe to temporarily suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. But health officials later decided to continue, with Prayuth and members of his cabinet receiving the first shots.
Indonesia on Monday suspended the use of the vaccine, saying it is awaiting a full report from the World Health Organization on possible side effects.
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PA reporters from around the world contributed to this report.
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