Australia works with EU, UK on jab blood clot case

>>MELBOURNE: Australian authorities say they are working with the European Union and the United Kingdom to investigate the first local case of an unusual clotting in a patient after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, as global concern over the safety of the shot continues to grow.

The Australian case, first reported on April 2, is currently being investigated by the country’s Therapeutic

Goods Administration.

“We don’t have definitive evidence of causality,” acting Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd told reporters at a press briefing yesterday. “But given how consistent the clinical features are in this case, with some similar cases which have been seen overseas, it is likely that this case reported is related to the vaccine.”

Amid growing reports of rare blood clots possibly linked to the AstraZeneca shot, the UK’s health regulator said the benefits of the shot continue to outweigh the risks. The UK has seen a total of 30 such cases as of March 24, out of more than 18 million doses given. The Netherlands on Friday joined Germany in suspending the vaccine’s use in people under 60.

The rising number of blood-clot cases and the moves to suspend or limit shots have added to the uncertainty around the vaccine, which many countries around the world were relying on for their immunisation programmes. The company has also faced questions over trial results and delivery schedules.

Dr Kidd said government and health authorities plan to meet again on April 7. Rare clotting complications have occurred between day four and 20 after receiving the vaccination.