After Denmark, six European countries suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine as a preventive measure after coagulation problems in several vaccinated patients. At the same time, the European Medicines Agency gave the green light to the deployment of the vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson.
- An investigation is underway with the European Medicines Agency to establish, or not, a link between the formation of blood clots and the AstraZeneca vaccine.
- In all, 22 cases of thrombosis were reported on Tuesday out of more than three million people vaccinated with this serum in the European Union, Norway and Iceland.
- Johnson & Johnson is 85% effective against severe forms of the disease and results that range between 57% and 72% for moderate to severe forms.
Crossover between vaccines this Thursday, March 11. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has just authorized the deployment of the vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson on its territory, the first doses of which are expected in mid-April. But on the same day, seven European countries (Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Austria, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg) decided to suspend the AstraZeneca vaccine as a precaution, due to fears linked to cases of blood clots forming in several patients.
22 cases of thrombosis for 3 million vaccinations
Denmark has announced that it will suspend the use of the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca after “severe cases of blood clots forming in people who have been vaccinated” have been reported, has said the National Health Agency this Thursday. This break, announced at least for the next two weeks, aims to clarify the reasons for the appearance of these blood clots. “At present, we do not [peut] cannot conclude that there is a link between the vaccine and said blood clots”, specified the Agency. An investigation is underway with the European Medicines Agency after the death of a person who received the vaccine. “There is significant documentation proving that the vaccine is both safe and effective. But, together with the Danish Medicines Agency, we must react to reports of possible serious side effects, both in Denmark and in other European countries.”, commented Søren Brostrøm, the director of the Danish agency.
In the wake of these announcements, the Norwegian and Icelandic health authorities decided as a preventive measure to suspend vaccinations with AstraZeneca serum. “We are taking a break in Norway from vaccination with AstraZenecasaid a senior official of the National Institute of Public Health, Geir Bukholm, during a press conference. We are awaiting information to see if there is a link between vaccination and [des cas de formation] blood clots.”
Austria decided earlier this week to suspend the vaccine produced by the Anglo-Swedish laboratory after the death of a 49-year-old nurse who succumbed to serious bleeding disorders a few days after receiving it. Four other European countries, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Luxembourg, immediately suspended vaccinations with doses from this batch. On Wednesday, a preliminary investigation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) highlighted that there was no link between AstraZeneca’s vaccine and the death in Austria. In all, 22 cases of thrombosis – caused by the formation of a blood clot in a vein which can block the passage of blood – were reported on Tuesday on more than three million people vaccinated with this serum in the European Union, Norway and Iceland.
Johnson & Johnson, 85% effective against serious forms
The Johnson & Johnson anti-Covid vaccine has been validated by the European Medicines Agency and becomes the fourth to receive authorization for use in Europe. Unlike other vaccines, it requires only one dose to be fully effective. Phase 3 clinical trials have shown 85% efficacy against severe forms of the disease and results ranging between 57% and 72% for moderate to severe forms. Sanofi has already announced that it will produce this vaccine from the third quarter of this year, promising a manufacturing rate of 12 million doses per month. In the meantime, the first doses are expected for the current of at least April but the Ministry of Health does not exclude “a possible small delay until May”.
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