Recommendation for AstraZeneca vaccine currently followed by WHO
AstraZeneca Vaccine Remains Safe and Effective, Says European Medicines Agency and World Health Organization
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have provided updates on the safety and efficacy of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
In a thorough review, the EMA has confirmed that the number of blood clots reported with the AstraZeneca vaccine is not higher than that expected in the general population. The EMA has also reiterated that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks, and that the vaccine is safe and effective.
Germany and other countries temporarily paused vaccinations with AstraZeneca due to reports of an unusual cluster of blood clots. However, following the EMA's review, these countries have resumed vaccinations with the vaccine.
The WHO's advisory committee on vaccine safety is actively reviewing the available data on AstraZeneca, maintaining close contact with the EMA and other stakeholders to assess the risks, particularly rare adverse events, and to update guidance accordingly.
The WHO continues to endorse the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, emphasizing that its benefits in reducing COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths outweigh the rare risks such as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). The EMA has also urged healthcare professionals to report any suspected adverse reactions to the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The EMA has stated that the blood clots reported with the AstraZeneca vaccine are not considered a safety concern for the vaccine. The WHO's advisory committee on vaccine safety has not found a causal link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and the reported blood clots.
The EMA has also recommended that the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine should not be restricted based on age or gender. The agency announced a thorough review of the AstraZeneca vaccine, with findings to be presented on Thursday.
In summary, the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing severe COVID-19 outcomes, hospitalizations, and death are strong. Rare adverse events like TTS are acknowledged but considered very uncommon. The WHO and EMA continue to endorse the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, emphasizing that ongoing safety monitoring continues. This collaboration and continual reassessment underscore WHO’s commitment to transparent and evidence-based vaccination policy.
Given the ongoing review and assessment by the EMA and WHO, it becomes crucial to prioritize health-and-wellness by ensuring that the AstraZeneca vaccine remains a vital tool in the fight against medical-conditions such as COVID-19. Despite the attention given to rare adverse events, both organizations reaffirm the vaccine's safety and effectiveness in reducing the severity of related health issues.
