The Medical Products Agency: It is not correct to compare side effects between vaccines and birth control pills

The Swedish Public Health Agency has temporarily suspended the vaccination with Astra Zeneca's vaccine after people received suspected serious side effects.

These are a few people in Europe who have suffered from blood clots (thrombosis) in combination with low levels of platelets (thrombocytopenia).

"Be source critical"

At the same time as several countries stopped the vaccine, pictures began to be shared on social media where the risk of blood clots is compared with the risk of blood clots when taking combined contraceptive pills.

Despite the increased risk, it is stated that birth control pills have not been stopped by the authorities.

But the comparison is difficult, according to Paulina Tuvendal who is a clinical investigator at the Medical Products Agency.

- There is generally no link between blood clots and Astra Zeneca vaccine, but there may be a possible link to these specific cases of bleeding risk and low platelet levels and Astra Zeneca's vaccine.

This risk of bleeding and low platelets is not a side effect of birth control pills.

"General risk is low"

To date, around 20 million people have received the Astra Zeneca vaccine and there are around 20 described cases where the patient has had a blood clot with bleeding and low platelets.

But it is important to remember that these are precisely suspected side effects, says Paulina Tuvendal.

- It is known that birth control pills can cause blood clots and therefore the midwife or gynecologist who prescribes birth control pills should ask the patient if there is a risk of blood clots in the family.

You take blood pressure and look at other risk factors.

Excluding the risk groups, the general risk of blood clots is low, but it is never zero.

What do you do if you take birth control pills and have now become worried that you may have a blood clot?

- Talk to your midwife or gynecologist about your concerns and ask for an individual assessment before making a decision.

It is positive to have a discussion about medicines, but it is important to be critical of sources.