Fourteen countries have halted jabs of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine out of concerns over blood clots. In particular, German regulators are concerned about occurrences of sinus vein thrombosis. However, statistics show that the Pfizer vaccine has been connected with more blood clots than the AstraZeneca, although both numbers are low (38 and 30) and not higher than normal. In comparison, rates of blood clotting are hundreds of times higher among those taking the Pill. Health experts (including the WHO) have supported the AstraZeneca vaccine, arguing that it isn’t clear it is causing more blood clots, and that its benefits far outweigh the costs.
Key Takeaways:
- The EMA, WHO and UK government have all said the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe to use.
- There have been 38 reports of blood clots among those receiving Pfizer’s vaccine, and 30 from AstraZeneca’s.
- In Britain, there are 3,000 blood clots per month in normal times due to various causes.
“It joined the World Health Organization and the UK government in offering a full-throated defence of the vaccine amid fury at European heavyweights for suspending the jabs.”
