AstraZeneca: EMA confirms blood clots are rare side effect
The EMA considers that blood clots should be added to the rare side effects.
JOEL SAGET AFP / File
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The European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced on Wednesday that blood clots should be listed as a "
very rare
" side effect of the AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19, while estimating that the benefit / risk balance remains "
positive
".
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The EMA has established "
a possible link to very rare cases of unusual blood clots with low blood platelets
," the Amsterdam-based agency said in a statement.
No specific risk factors were identified, however, EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke said in a video conference.
“
Specific risk factors such as age, gender or medical history could not be confirmed because rare events are seen at all ages,
” she explained.
“
A plausible explanation for these rare side effects is an immune response to the vaccine,
” Cooke added, noting that the vaccine is “
very effective
” and “
saves lives
”.
Several European countries have suspended the use of the vaccine from the Anglo-Swedish laboratory AstraZeneca due to reports of blood clots among those vaccinated.
The European regulator had previously assured that the vaccine was not linked to a higher risk of blood clots, indicating, however, that it could not "
definitively exclude
" a link with rare coagulation disorders.
European Union health ministers are due to meet via videoconference from 4:00 p.m. GMT to discuss the EMA's findings.
(With
AFP
)
►
To read also: In the spotlight: the AstraZeneca vaccine between challenge and mistrust
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