Ireland has suspended AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine over blood clotting fears.
The country’s National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended that use of the vaccine be paused this morning.
Irish Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly insisted the action was a ‘precautionary step’.
It comes after reports in Norway of four serious blood clotting events in adults after receiving the vaccine, the Irish Mirror reports.
But the World Health Organisation said there is no link between the jab and an increased likelihood of a clot.
Ireland’s deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said the NIAC recommended a suspension of the vaccine over information from the Norwegian Medicines Agency.
(Image: PA)
He added: “Following discussions with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has recommended that the administration of Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca be temporarily deferred from this morning, Sunday 14th March.
“This recommendation has been made following a report from the Norwegian Medicines Agency of four new reports of serious blood clotting events in adults after vaccination with Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.
“It has not been concluded that there is any link between the Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca and these cases.
“However, acting on the precautionary principal, and pending receipt of further information, the NIAC has recommended the temporary deferral of the Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca vaccination programme in Ireland.”
A spokesman for AstraZeneca said data from the millions of doses so far administered showed no evidence for the vaccine increasing in the risk of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis or thrombocytopenia.
They added: “In fact, the reported numbers of these types of events for Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca are lower than the number that would have occurred naturally in the unvaccinated population.
“In clinical trials, no trends or patterns were observed with regard to pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, or events possibly related to thrombocytopenia.
“A careful review of all available safety data including these events is ongoing and AstraZeneca is committed to sharing information without delay.
“We also note that the European Medicine Agency (EMA) has asked for an assessment of events related to thrombocytopenia from other Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers (per communication 11 March).”