The World Health Organization has stated that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweighs its risks and recommends that vaccinations continue as nations suspends the vaccine due to recorded blood clots.
The WHO disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday afternoon, citing that vaccination against COVID-19 will not reduce illness or deaths from other causes.
“Some countries in the European Union have temporarily suspended use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as a precautionary measure based on reports of rare blood coagulation disorders in persons who had received the vaccine.
“Other countries in the EU – having considered the same information – have decided to continue using the vaccine in their immunization programmes,” WHO said.
WHO added that in its previous vaccination campaigns, countries usually signal potential adverse effects following immunization, citing its does not “necessarily mean that the events are linked to vaccination itself, but it is good practice to investigate them.”
WHO added that its Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety is carefully assessing the available safety data for the AstraZeneca vaccine and will communicate the findings to the public.
“At this time, WHO considers that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its risks and recommends that vaccinations continue,” it said.
What you should know
- Recall Nairametrics reported that Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency disclosed that it has not received any official report of serious adverse effects from any of those who have been vaccinated.
- Ireland has suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine over fears of alleged post-jab blood.
- Germany, France and Italy announced on Monday they would suspend AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine disbursement after multiple countries reported possible serious side-effects. However, the WHO said there was no proven link and people should not panic.