Denmark has suspended application of AstraZeneca vaccine and examines whether it has influenced cases of thrombosis in patients

Denmark has decided to discontinue use of AstraZeneca’s covid-19 vaccine as a precaution due to fears related to formation of blood clots in vaccinees, the country’s health authority reported on Thursday

Suspension occurs “After reports of severe cases of thrombi in people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccineSaid the Danish Directorate General for Health (SST).

One of the cases is linked to a death, explained the health authorities in a statement, stressing that It cannot yet be concluded that there is a relationship between the vaccine and blood clots.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) opened an investigation in this regard, according to the Danish Directorate General for Health, which applied “a principle of prudence»And will carry out a new evaluation in the penultimate week of March.

“We are in the biggest and most important vaccination campaign in Danish history, we need all the vaccines we can get. For that it is not an easy decision to suspend one. But we must react cautiously when there is evidence of possible serious effects. “, afirmó el director of OSH, Søren Brostrøm.

Brostrøm pointed out that it’s a pause and there is “good literature” that the AstraZeneca vaccine is “safe and effective”, but that the Danish authorities are obliged to react to information about possible effects “from Denmark and other European countries”.

All appointments and invitations to request an appointment to receive this vaccine are suspended, and those who have already received the first dose will have to wait until further notice.

The measure involves changes in the vaccination plan, which will be delayed in a worst-case scenario by four weeks until August 15, by which time everyone who wants it is expected to have been vaccinated.

“First of all, it is important that when risks arise in relation to a vaccine, they are studied. Therefore, I think it is correct to suspend the AstraZeneca vaccination “, the Danish Prime Minister said at a press conference, Mette Frederiksen.

Frederiksen was bowled over by the delay, but at the same time convinced that Denmark, one of the countries that vaccinates the fastest against covid-19 in Europe and one of the least affected, can normalize the situation within a few months.

“I believe in a summer with an almost normalized Denmark. I dare say it, as long as the Danes continue to be tested and vaccinated ”, said the Prime Minister.

The decision of the Danish authorities comes a few days after Austria has also suspended the use of a batch of AstraZeneca vaccines, after a person has been diagnosed with multiple thrombosis and died ten days later, after receiving an injection of the drug.

In addition, another patient was hospitalized with a pulmonary embolism (blocked arteries in the lungs) a few days after the vaccination, although he is already recovering. Until yesterday they had received two other case reports of thromboembolic events for the lot in question, which was withdrawn by Austria as a precaution last Sunday.

However, the European Medicines Agency assured this Wednesday that after a preliminary analysis, he does not believe there is “a specific problem with the batch” of AstraZeneca vaccines recalled by Austria.

(With information from EFE and AFP)

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