The use of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been paused in 11 European countries. This was after blood clots were reported among recipients of the vaccine. The World Health Organization (WHO) is investigating the allegations. However, the WHO has reported that so far there is no evidence that the blood clots are linked to the administration of the vaccine.
The UK’s medical regular has come out to defend the vaccine saying that it is safe. According to experts, blood clots can occur naturally and it is not uncommon.
It is estimated that 17 million people in the UK and the EU have already received the vaccine. At least 40 cases of blood clot have been reported over the last one week. This is not more than what would be reported normally.
We look forward to a statement which will be released by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on the use of Oxford-AstraZeneca on Thursday.
Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is made from a weakened version of a common cold virus from Chimpanzees. This version has been modified to look more like coronavirus however it cannot cause the disease. Upon being injected with the vaccine, it trains the body to fight the real virus if required to do so.
Oxford-AstraZeneca does not need to be kept in extreme cold temperature (-70C). This means that ordinally fridges can be used for their storage. This is why it is easier to be distributed.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is 62 percent effective while Pfizer is 95 percent effective. So far, no one who received the AstraZeneca vaccine was hospitalized or became seriously ill as a result of Covid-19.
The European Medicines Agency approved the use of AstraZeneca in January 2021 for use in large groups including for adults.
How long does the vaccines protect against coronavirus
So far, it is not known how long the vaccine can protest people against coronavirus. There is a likelihood that people may need to receive the vaccines once a year just like for the flu jab. Scientists have been working on new versions of the vaccine to keep up with the a virus that keeps on mutating.
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