No adverse AstraZeneca effects yet in Phl

There have been no reported blood clots on people vaccinated with AstraZeneca in the Philippines according to Dr. Ted Herbosa, special adviser to the National Task Force Against Covid-19.

Herbosa emphasized this yesterday following reports of the vaccine’s rare cases of blood clots in Europe as reported by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

“No such blood clotting adverse events have been reported in the Philippines,” he said.

Herbosa, pointed out that the reported adverse effects were minor and did not require hospitalizations.

“What are being investigated are so called moderate to severe adverse events regarding the outcome,” he added.

Herbosa explained that the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) order temporarily suspending the use of AstraZeneca vaccine for individuals aged below 60 years old was triggered because of the recommendation of the EMA.

“The FDA order to temporarily suspend AstraZeneca was triggered by the reports from EU EMA,” he said.

He added that this is a safety measure of the regulatory agency when using experimental vaccines like AstraZeneca. He also said that it will be studied and reviewed by experts.

The FDA said it is already fast-tracking the revised guidelines for AstraZeneca vaccine which is expected to be completed this week.

The FDA added that it is currently waiting for the recommendation of its panel of vaccine experts and other related agencies.

The EMA’s safety committee (PRAC) has concluded last week that unusual blood clots with low blood platelets should be listed as very rare side effects of the vaccine.

The EMA is reminding healthcare professionals and people receiving the vaccine to remain aware of the possibility of very rare cases of blood clots combined with low levels of blood platelets occurring within two weeks of vaccination.

The Department of Health (DoH) said all 525,6000 doses of AstraZeneca jabs donated by the COVAX Facility have been administered.

The latest figures from the

DoH shows the Philippines has vaccinated 922,000 individuals, more than 493,000 of whom got the AstraZeneca vaccine.

PHOTOGRAPH BY RIO DELUVIO FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE @tribunephl_rio RESIDENTS, most of them senior citizens, were able to claim their cash assistance from government to the delight of this lady at the Concepcion Elementary School in Marikina.