The British drug regulator said it identified 30 cases of unusual thrombi and coagulation problems related to the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, but reiterated that the benefits “continue to outweigh any risks”.
The Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency has noted that the risk associated with this type of blood clot is “very small” and that the population should continue to receive the vaccine when given the opportunity.
The cases relate to the period up to March 24, during which 18.1 million doses of the vaccine were administered, the regulator explained Friday night. It has not received similar reports as developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, he added.
Concern about the side effects of AstraZeneca drug led several countries, including Canada, France, Germany and the Netherlands, to restrict its use among the elderly.
The World Health Organization has called on countries to continue using the vaccine.