WHO gives AstraZeneca vaccine vote of confidence, says no cause for alarm

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says there is no reason to stop using AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine.

Several European countries — Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Thailand and Bulgaria — have suspended administering the vaccine after some recipients reportedly developed blood clots.

A 50-year-old man was said to have died in Italy after developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

The side effect was said to have started after a certain batch of the vaccine called ABV5300 was administered.

Reacting, Margaret Harris, a spokesperson for the global health body, said a review of the data on the vaccine proved it has caused no deaths.

She added that WHO’s vaccines advisory committee is currently reviewing the safety data of the vaccine.

“AstraZeneca is an excellent vaccine, as are the other vaccines that are being used,” Harris said.

“We’ve reviewed the data on deaths. There has been no death, to date, proven to have been caused by vaccination.

“Yes, we should continue using the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“We must always ensure that we look for any safety signals when we roll out vaccines, and we must review them.

“But there is no indication to not use it.”

Nigeria received its first batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine on March 2 and has since begun the rollout.

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) had said the AstraZeneca vaccine Nigeria got is not part of the batch reported to be causing blood clots.