WHO says no reason not to use AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine

The UN body said that no causal relationship had been established between the shot and the health problems reported

Several countries have suspended the use of AstraZeneca’s jab following reports of the formation of blood clots in some vaccinated people

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An Italian soldier receives a dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine in Rome on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:16pm, 12 Mar 2021Updated: 9:16pm, 12 Mar 2021

A World Health Organization expert advisory committee is currently looking at AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine after some countries paused distribution of it, but there is no reason not to use it, a spokeswoman said on Friday.

Health authorities in several countries including Denmark, Norway, Iceland have suspended the use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine following reports of the formation of blood clots in some people who have been vaccinated.

Margaret Harris told a briefing that it was an “excellent vaccine” and that no causal relationship had been established between the shot and the health problems reported, calling the pause in use “a precautionary measure”.

“It’s very important to understand that, yes, we should continue to be using the AstraZeneca vaccine,” she said.

The WHO’s global advisory committee on vaccine safety is currently reviewing the reports and will revert on its findings, she added, as it does with any safety issues.