- Australia’s medical regulators are urgently reviewing the latest health advice on AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 immunisation
- The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has confirmed after weeks of investigation that blood clots, while very rare, are a risk for those taking the vaccine
- But the E.U. medicines watchdog still said the “overall benefits of the vaccine in preventing COVID-19 outweigh the risks of side effects”
- Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) are now reviewing the EMA’s data
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he expects an update from both agencies by Thursday night before the matter will be discussed in national cabinet
- The U.K. has already announced plans to offer a different COVID-19 vaccine to those under 30, in the wake of the rare blood clot risk being declared
Australia’s medical regulators are urgently reviewing the latest health advice on AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 immunisation.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has confirmed after weeks of investigation that blood clots are a very rare risk for those taking the vaccine.
EMA’s safety committee (#PRAC) has concluded its review of very rare cases of unusual blood clots with AstraZeneca #COVID19 vaccine.
— EU Medicines Agency (@EMA_News) April 7, 2021
👉https://t.co/WGsfRP8PTo pic.twitter.com/aeyzK3bfxd
In a statement, the agency said its safety committee “has concluded today that unusual blood clots with low blood platelets should be listed as very rare side effects.”
The EMA also advised that “the overall benefits of the vaccine in preventing COVID-19 outweigh the risks of side effects.”
Following the European medical watchdog’s announcement, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) are now reviewing the advice.
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he expects an update from both agencies by Thursday night.
The PM will then discuss the latest information with State and Territory Leaders in Friday’s national cabinet meeting.
Scott Morrison also stated that Australia’s vaccine rollout, which consists primarily of the AstraZeneca jab, will not be changed.
“At this point, there’s no advice to suggest there would be any change to the rollout of the vaccine.”
In the U.K., the government has already begun implementing changes to its vaccine rollout in light of the latest risk update.
The country’s drug regulator also carried out its own, separate review of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and found under-30s should be offered a different type of immunisation.
Despite the recommendation though, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the AstraZeneca jab was still safe and effective.
As the regulators have said, this vaccine is safe, effective and has already saved thousands of lives – and the vast majority of people should continue to take it when offered. 2/3
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 7, 2021
The U.K. leader said the vaccine had already saved thousands of lives and will still be used in the country’s vaccination rollout.