Official: Austrian authorities suspend vaccination with AstraZeneka Covid-19 vaccine – Respublika.lt

Austrian authorities have suspended vaccination with AstraZeneka Covid-19. ELTA photo

The Federal Health Service (BASG) has received two vaccination notifications from the same shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines at the Zwettl District Clinic in the province of Lower Austria.

A 49-year-old woman died of severe blood clotting disorders and a 35-year-old woman developed a pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism is an acute lung disease caused by a blood clot.

The Austrian newspaper Niederoesterreichische Nachrichten, broadcaster ORF and APA news agency reported that both women were nurses working at the Zwettl clinic.

The Austrian Federal Health Service reports that there is no evidence yet that death and lung disease were caused by the vaccine. Blood clotting has not been identified as a side effect of the vaccine. Therefore, a study is still being carried out to confirm or rule out its possible effects.

“Pending a response, the Austrian authorities have decided not to vaccinate their citizens with the AstraZeneca vaccines remaining in the shipment,” the report said.

An AstraZeneca spokesperson said: “Serious side effects related to the vaccine have not been confirmed. All shipments are very strictly inspected. Studies and actual experience show that the vaccine is safe and effective. It has been approved for use in more than 50 countries “. . “

According to a representative of AstraZeneca, the company is in contact with the Austrian authorities and will fully support the investigation initiated by the latter.

In late January, European Union regulators approved the product, saying it was effective and safe to use, and the World Health Organization (WHO) said in mid-February that the product should be used urgently.

The side effects seen in the studies were generally short-lived and no blood clotting problems were seen.

Reuters reports that the German vaccine control authority has also carried out evaluations of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The study involved more than 360,000 people who were vaccinated with the vaccine between early February and February 26. Adverse reactions were concluded to be consistent with the nature of safety described.

Prepared according to information published by Reuters. You can find the source HERE.