Coronavirus: EU says ‘no evidence’ to restrict use of AstraZeneca vaccine
- Comments come after Germany limited use of the shots amid concerns over blood clots
- EU drug watchdog says experts have not found any underlying risk factors for the rare condition or any causal link to the vaccine
The head of the European Medicines Agency said Wednesday that there is “no evidence” that would support restricting use of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine in any population, as Germany has now done amid concerns over rare blood clots in people who got the shot.
But EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke said her Amsterdam-based agency continues to study reports of new cases as they come in and will provide a further assessment next week.
On Tuesday, an independent vaccine expert panel in Germany said AstraZeneca shots should not routinely be given to people under 60 because of a rise in reported cases of unusual blood clots in the days after vaccination.
The German government followed the recommendation and said the British-Swedish company’s vaccine would be prioritised for people age 60 and older, although exceptions can be made in consultation with doctors.
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AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine under investigation by WHO over blood clot reports
The move put the spotlight back on the European Medicines Agency, which authorised the AstraZeneca vaccine in January and said earlier this month – after some European countries suspended its use over blood clot fears – that the vaccine’s benefits outweigh the risks.
“According to the current scientific knowledge, there is no evidence that would support restricting the use of this vaccine in any population,” Cooke told reporters.