Many European countries suspend use of AstraZeneca vaccine

Germany, meanwhile, is suspending the use of the Covid-19 vaccine from the Anglo-Swedish laboratory AstraZeneca « as a preventive measure » after reports of side effects, the health ministry announced on Monday.

The Paul-Ehrlich Medical Institute, which advises the government, « believes that other examinations (are) necessary », after cases of blood clots forming in vaccinated people in Europe, said a spokesperson for the ministry. Several countries have already taken such a step.

This suspension decision comes « after new information concerning cerebral vein thrombosis in connection with vaccination in Germany and Europe », according to the same source.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) “will decide if and how the new knowledge (about these side effects) affects the authorization of the vaccine”, added this spokesperson.

Health Minister Jens Spahn has planned to speak in the afternoon.

But nothing indicates a cause and effect link and the enthusiasm of the health authorities divides the professionals.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is one of three vaccines used in Germany while a fourth, that of Johnson & Johnson, has already received the green light from European authorities and will be distributed between mid and end of April, according to the Ministry of Health. Health.

For the past week, several countries have suspended vaccination with AstraZeneca after serious blood problems in vaccinated people.

France follows

France, in turn, decided on Monday to « suspend as a precaution » the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, pending an opinion from the European Medicines Authority which will be given on Tuesday afternoon, Emmanuel Macron announced during a meeting. press conference in Montauban.

The Head of State said « hope to resume vaccination quickly » with this serum « if the opinion of the European authority allows it », while several European countries have also suspended this vaccine, including Germany and the Netherlands. Italy on Monday.

« The European Authority, the EMA, will issue an opinion tomorrow afternoon on the use of this vaccine (…) the decision which was taken in accordance also with our European policy is to suspend the vaccination with AstraZeneca as a precaution. hoping to resume it quickly if the opinion of the EMA allows it », declared the Head of State during a press conference with the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, at the end of a Franco- Spanish.

Suspension in Italy, Spain and Luxembourg

Italy on Monday as a precaution suspended the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19 throughout its territory, following in the footsteps of several other European countries after reports of side effects.

The Italian medicines agency, AIFA, « has decided as a precaution and on a provisional basis, pending a decision from the EMA », the European Medicines Agency, to « prohibit the use of AstraZeneca vaccine throughout the national territory », explains AIFA in a press release.

« This decision was taken in line with similar measures adopted by other European countries, » she said.

According to Spanish media, Spain will also stop administering the vaccine for « at least two weeks ».

Vaccinations with AstraZeneca’s anti-Covid-19 vaccine will be suspended in Luxembourg until the assessment by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) safety committee is complete, a statement from the Luxembourg government said on Monday. Today’s decision affects both initial and follow-up vaccinations. This is a precautionary measure, pending the results of the EMA’s analyses, relating to a number of blood problems that have occurred in people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, the statement continued.

Slovenia and Portugal too

Slovenia in turn suspended anti-Covid vaccinations with AstraZeneca on Monday “as a precaution”, adding to the long list of countries having taken this measure due to fears linked to blood clots.

“I have taken this decision to temporarily discontinue” the use of the vaccine from the Swedish-British laboratory AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford “in order to ensure the highest possible level of safety for our fellow citizens,” said the Health Minister Janez Poklukar at a press conference.

« There is no medical expertise justifying this stop » but it is a preventive measure pending an opinion from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), he said.

Same thing in Portugal, after the report of « serious but rare » side effects, according to the Director General of Health, Graça Freitas. As in other European countries, the decision was taken « as a precaution », pending instructions from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), she said. The European regulator will hold a special meeting on Thursday to decide whether action is « necessary » on the vaccine, after several countries, including France and Germany, suspended its use as a precaution over fears of clots. blood, with no proven link at this stage.

For its part, the World Health Organization estimated on Monday that countries should continue to vaccinate with AstraZeneca’s anti-Covid-19 serum and will convene its group of experts on Tuesday to study the safety of the vaccine.

Portugal has already administered some 400,000 doses of this vaccine, and has 200,000 in stock, said during a press conference the head of the vaccination program, Henrique Gouveia Melo.

And in Belgium?

In Belgium, this suspension is not really on the agenda. The Superior Council of Health has established in its report that « the advantages outweigh the disadvantages »