BERLIN, KOMPAS.TV – Germany, France, Italy and Spain became the latest countries to suspend the use of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, Monday (15/3/2021). This suspension was carried out on reports of dangerous blood clots in some vaccine recipients.
AstraZeneca is only one of three vaccines used in continental Europe. But the increasing number of countries suspending the use of this vaccine, set back the European Union’s vaccination efforts.
Previously, the mass vaccination program in Europe was disrupted by a lack of vaccine supply, so that it was far behind the mass vaccinations carried out in the UK and the United States (US).
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Germany’s Health Minister said the decision to suspend the AstraZeneca vaccine was taken on the advice of the country’s vaccine regulator, the Paul Ehrlich Institute. The institute is calling for further investigations into the seven cases of brain clots in people who have been vaccinated.
“Today’s decision is a pure precautionary measure,” said Jens Spahn as quoted by the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said his country would also suspend the AstraZaneca vaccine until at least Tuesday (16/3/2021) afternoon. Italy’s drug regulator also announced a temporary ban, and Spain said it would stop using the vaccine for two weeks, while experts researched its safety again.
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