By Sam Tobin
LONDON, Aug 23 (Reuters) – AstraZeneca is facing two lawsuits in London, including one from the husband of a woman who died after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine from the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker.
The UK was the first country to use AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine in early 2021, though it later restricted its use among those under 40 due to the small risk of blood clots.
Anish Tailor, whose wife Alpa died in March 2021 after receiving the first dose of the vaccine, filed a product liability claim against AstraZeneca in London’s High Court on August 4, court records show.
His lawyer told Reuters he has about 50 other clients who will formally sue AstraZeneca in the coming months.
AstraZeneca declined to comment on active legal cases. A spokesperson said in a statement: “Patient safety is our highest priority and regulatory authorities have clear and strict rules to ensure the safe use of all medicines, including vaccines.”
AstraZeneca is facing a similar lawsuit from Jamie Scott, who was diagnosed with induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia, which can cause fatal blood clotting, after receiving AstraZeneca’s vaccine.
Scott filed a product liability lawsuit against AstraZeneca on Monday, court records show. No further details about the case were immediately available.
The law firm representing Scott said it represents 40 other bereaved individuals or families.
These are the first lawsuits filed in England and Wales over an adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine, according to publicly available court records.
(Reporting by Sam Tobin. Editing in Spanish by Javier Leira)
2023-08-23 15:46:10
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