Scandinavian countries are in no rush to resume vaccination with AstraZeneca: why?



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These countries say they want to carefully analyze the possibility that the AstraZeneca vaccine is linked to unusual deaths from blood clots, despite the assessment published by the EEA.

For example, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health has announced that a decision on resuming vaccination will only be made next week, saying that a “more complete picture of the situation” is needed.

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Furthermore, France, even after resuming vaccination with AstraZeneca against coronavirus, recommended that only people over 55 be vaccinated. The recommendation is based on the fact that reports of bleeding disorders only refer to people under the age of 55.

Situation in Norway

These recommendations are likely to further complicate the coronavirus vaccination process in Europe.

In Ireland, one of the medical experts, Ronnan Glynn, has already considered: “Vaccines won’t help if people don’t want to get vaccinated. Will this week be a challenge? I do not have any doubt. However, the decision to pause may increase confidence in the vaccine, as safety has been shown to be paramount. “

However, let’s say Norway seeks even greater clarity. The country’s drug agency told the Financial Times that it wanted blood clotting and low platelet counts to be included in the list of possible reactions to the vaccine.

Vaccine

Vaccine “Reuters” / “Scanpix” nuotr./ “AstraZeneca”

Pallas Andre Holme, a professor at Oslo University Hospital, said on Thursday, before EVA announced its verdict, that the formation of deadly blood clots in Norway was caused by the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“Our theory that such a powerful immune response was probably triggered by a vaccine has been confirmed,” the doctor said.

In Norway, these complications required the help of doctors from three health workers under the age of 50. One person died on Monday.

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Specialists in the country have previously reported that these people have abnormally low platelet counts in the blood. Blood clotting in unusual places has also been reported: in the stomach, the brain.

PAHolme: Only the vaccine can explain why these individuals had such an immune response. There is nothing else in your health data that could provoke such a powerful reaction. I’m sure the antibodies we found are the cause.

According to the Norwegian newspaper VG, experts delayed the theory that it was the vaccine that caused such an unexpected reaction, and now announces that the theory has been confirmed.

“We have found that specific antibodies interact with platelets and can cause such reactions,” explained PAHolme, noting that this was the cause of the blood clots.

“It just came to our attention then. Only the vaccine can explain why these individuals had such an immune response. There is nothing else in their health data that could cause such a powerful reaction.” I’m sure the antibodies we found are the one. cause, “added the professor.

www.imago-images.de/Scanpix photo / AstraZeneca logo

www.imago-images.de/Scanpix photo / AstraZeneca logo

PAHolme stressed the need to talk about specific antibodies and explained how they might activate platelets.

“We get vaccinated to elicit an immune response and protect ourselves. Then antibodies are formed in the body. Some antibodies can react to activate platelets and cause blood to clot, ”said PAHolme.

“The situation is a bit exceptional”

Steinar Madsen, a spokesman for the Norwegian Medicines Agency, explained that Oslo simply did not want to rush and that the use of AstraZeneca may remain suspended for the time being.

He said there were a total of six cases in the country associated with serious complications after vaccination. According to Madsen, all six people were “completely healthy”, so “the situation is a bit exceptional.”

In Denmark, on the other hand, where a 60-year-old woman who died of a similar side effect died last week after vaccination, the EVA decision is still under review and the AstraZeneca vaccine will not be used until next week.

Bostrom: If we were to observe a wave like this this winter, our assessment would probably be different.

Soren Bostrom, director general of the Danish health service, admitted on Friday that he was still concerned about the incidents. But he added that the relatively good handling of the pandemic allows the country to not rush.

“If we were to see a wave like this this winter, our assessment would probably be different,” Bostrom said.

AFP /

AFP / “Scanpix” nuotr./ “AstraZeneca” vaccine

Swedish officials also promise a decision next week. Finally, even the UK is still looking into the possible link between the vaccine and blood clot incidents, although it says people shouldn’t give up on AstraZeneca.

Meanwhile, EEA representatives say they assessed the situation on the basis of data collected only up to Wednesday, so they did not include the findings from the Oslo University Hospital and analyzed only two cases in Norway.

Agency experts also said Thursday that “the link between a rare type of blood clot and a vaccine cannot be definitively ruled out.” It is recommended to pay attention to the probable minimum risk, even if the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh it.



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