GP says not getting vaccine is a greater risk to public health

A GP is urging people to get their COVID-19 vaccine and is confident the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, and other approved jabs, are totally safe.

Some European countries have temporarily paused the use of the vaccine as a precautionary measure, following reports of blood clots in a small number of people who had recently had the jab.

Dr Fawad Azam, a GP at Stainland Road Medical Centre and Clinical Director of Calder and Ryburn Primary Care Network, is urging people to be vaccinated as soon as they have the opportunity.

“There is no evidence that the blood clots have been associated with the vaccine,” he said. “Our UK regulator, the Medicines Health Regulatory Authority, has said that they are confident the vaccine is safe.

“Of almost five million people vaccinated across the countries who have temporarily stopped administering the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, around 30 cases of blood clots were reported. This is actually fewer than we’d expect to be reported in the general population.”

Deborah Harkins, Director of Public Health, Calderdale, said: “To date, over 69,000 people have received a

Covid-19 vaccination in Calderdale and more than 750,000 people have been vaccinated across West Yorkshire, and we have no evidence to suggest that any of the vaccines we’re using are unsafe. Emerging evidence shows that having the vaccine reduces transmission of COVID-19, so it’s essential that as many people as possible are vaccinated.”