EU regulator: Oxford jab is good for all
THERE is “no evidence” to support restricting the use of the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine in any population, the head of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said yesterday.
Executive director Emer Cooke said a causal link between the jab and unusual blood clots is “not proven, but is possible”, adding that its benefits outweigh the risks.
It comes after Germany suspended use of the Oxford/ AstraZeneca vaccine for people aged under 60 due to fears of blood clots.
The German medicines regulator reported 31 cases of a type of rare brain blood clot among nearly 2.7 million people who had received the AstraZeneca jab in the country.
The EMA – in charge of the evaluation and supervision of medicinal products – met yesterday and said it had not identified any specific risk factors, such as age, gender or a previous medical history of clotting disorders, for these “very rare” events.
Effective
Speaking at a press briefing, Ms Cooke said: “There is no evidence that would support restricting the use of this vaccine in any population.”
Ms Cooke said 62 cases had been reviewed out of 9.2 million people in the European Economic Area.
The EMA’s view is echoed by theWorld Health Organisation, which has also urged countries to continue using the jab.
Covid itself can cause an increased risk of blood clots
– a risk that is far higher than any posed by the vaccine.
Meanwhile, a study has found that the Pfizer vaccine is “100 per cent effective and well tolerated” among children aged 12 to 15.
The drugs giant said it plans to seek approval for use in this group from regulators around the world and hopes teens will start receiving the jab before the next school year.
The news comes after figures showed a slight rise in cases among youngsters after schools reopened in the UK.