The AstraZeneca vaccine is suspended for three more weeks in Denmark.
The country wants to take precautions and continue its investigation to verify that there is indeed no link between the rare cases of blood clots and the vaccine.
Denmark is extending the suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine in its Covid-19 immunization program by three weeks, health authorities announced on Thursday.
This vaccine is however declared as "safe and effective" by the European regulator and the WHO.
"Today we have decided to extend our suspension to three weeks," National Health Agency director Søren Brostrøm told a press conference, explaining that they needed "more time" to exclude entirely a link between the few known cases of rare but serious blood clots and vaccination with AstraZeneca vaccine.
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If this link has not been demonstrated, the health official defended "an additional precautionary principle" in a country where rare are those who refuse vaccination.
"It is extremely important for me to be able to say […] that I want to use this vaccine myself and recommend it to my relatives, with a sure voice," he added.
First country in Europe to completely suspend use of the vaccine after reports describing exceptional cases of blood clots, combined with low platelets and bleeding, Denmark has taken note of the favorable opinion of the EMA (European Medicines Agency) on the vaccine.
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The link between blood clots and AstraZeneca vaccine is "not excluded"
According to the Danish authorities, the European regulator "does not exclude" a link, which leads it to continue its investigation.
"We are not opposing the decision of the EMA […], we are going further," said Søren Brostrøm.
"We still do not know if certain groups are more at risk […], we will also see the importance of the risk: is it acceptable and can we justify it?", He explained.
In Denmark, 5.7% of the 5.8 million inhabitants are fully vaccinated.
11.1% received a first dose and the prolonged suspension could lengthen the ambitious immunization program which provides for the vaccination of all over 16 years of age for the month of July.
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The majority of European countries which had suspended the use of the vaccine resumed it after the opinion of the EMA.
In Sweden and Norway, where the vaccine from the Swedish-British laboratory is still suspended, a decision is expected soon.