Denmark suspends AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccinations for another 3 weeks
The pause for vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca is extended by 3 weeks
The Danish Health and Medicines Authority is extending the break with the COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca, because the assessment of the use of the vaccine in the Danish vaccination program against COVID-19 is still ongoing.
The National Board of Health suspended vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca on 11 March 2021 on the basis of reports of several serious cases of blood clots, decreased platelet counts and bleeding. Subsequently, the European Medicines Agency, EMA, has assessed 25 cases of this and similar types of serious, rare side effects.
On 18 March 2021, the EMA assessed that a link between the COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca and the occurrence of rare but severe cases of blood clots cannot be ruled out.
“We have started several studies and talked to experts in the affected areas, so we are sure to uncover the scope and the possible connection. This, together with EMA’s assessments, must provide a solid basis for assessing the vaccine from AstraZeneca,”says director Søren Brostrøm.
The National Board of Health receives ongoing feedback on the ongoing studies, but it is still too early to draw final conclusions.
“At present, we believe that our basis for making a final decision on the further use of the COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca is too uncertain. Many studies have been launched, but we do not yet have any conclusions. That is why we have decided to extend the break,”says director Søren Brostrøm.
Danish Medicines Agency press release