Germany, others stick with vaccine

Some nations pause use due to blood clot reports

Officials in several European countries pushed back Friday against decisions by others to pause use of Astrazeneca’s coronavirus vaccine following sporadic reports of blood clots, despite a lack of evidence the shot was responsible.

German Health Minister Jens Spahn said while the country takes reports of possible harmful effects from vaccines “very, very seriously,” both the European Medicines Agency and Germany’s own vaccine oversight body have said they have no evidence of an increase in dangerous blood clots in connection with the shots.

“I regret that on the basis of the knowledge, as of Friday morning, some countries in the European Union have suspended vaccinations with Astrazeneca,” Spahn said.

Denmark was the first to temporarily halt use of the Astrazeneca vaccine Thursday after reports of blood clots in some people. The Nordic nation’s health authority said the decision was “based on a precautionary principle.”

Norway, Iceland and Bulgaria suspended use of the Anglo-swedish company’s vaccine.

“Until all doubts are dispelled and experts guarantee that it holds no risk for people, we are stopping immunization using that vaccine,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told a Cabinet meeting.

The regulator has said it is looking into the reports — but that vaccinations should continue in the meantime.

Thailand and Congo have also delayed use of the vaccine, pending an investigation, while Italy and Romania stopped using shots from one batch. Austria has also halted use of doses from a different, batch.

That decision followed the death from blood clots of a 49-year-old 10 days after she was vaccinated, and the hospitalization of a 35-year-old. Experts concluded neither complication was related to the vaccine.