UK regulators recommend avoiding AstraZeneca vaccine in children under 30

The UK recommends offering alternative vaccines to the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine for those under 30, after a possible link between this formula and rare cases of thrombosis in young adults was detected, the Joint said on Wednesday. Vaccination Committee. JCVI).

This population group will have the opportunity to choose to be vaccinated with preparations of Pfizer and Moderna, also approved in this country, although regulators continue to recommend AstraZeneca vaccine for the elderly whereas the benefits outweigh the risks.

“Adults aged 18 to 29, who do not have co-morbidities that put them at increased risk for severe COVID-19, should be offered an alternative vaccine instead of the AstraZeneca vaccine, when said alternative is availableProf. Wei Shen Lim said, stressing that the committee does not recommend stopping vaccination for any age group.

As of March 31 in the UK, 79 cases of blood clots have been detected, leaving a balance of 19 dead, among the 20 million people vaccinated with at least one dose in the country.

Several European countries have suspended the use of the vaccine from the Swedish-British laboratory pending the conclusions.

EMA confirmed link but maintains recommendation

This Wednesday, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) confirmed a “possible link” AstraZeneca with cases of thrombosis, but consider that its benefits always outweigh the risk of side effects. According to the conclusions of the Safety Committee (PRAC), ‘unusual’ blood clots with low platelets’ should be included as very rare side effectsOf the AstraZeneca vaccine, based on “all currently available evidence,” including advice from a panel of experts.

EMA experts were unable to identify a risk factor for these events, such as age, gender or medical history, although a “plausible explanation (for these rare cases of coagulation blood) or it is an immune response to the vaccine. In some people, the PRAC therefore requested new studies to try to gather more information and take the necessary additional measures.

(With information from AFP and EFE)

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