[ad_1]
Sydsvenskan was the first to report the death in Lund. The person, a previously healthy woman in her 60s, suffered from both blood clots and bleeding. This corresponds to the side effects that the review of the Astra Zeneca vaccine by the EU Medicines Agency has focused on.
– This is the first established case of this combined picture of severe bleeding disorder, says Sofia Bosdotter Enroth of the Agency for Medical Products at a press conference.
In addition, the authority is working intensively to investigate another alleged Swedish case.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has investigated whether the health problems reported with the Astra vaccine are real side effects or mere coincidences. No causal link has been found and the vaccine is considered safe. Therefore, several EU countries have announced that they will resume vaccination against Astra.
Despite this, Sweden’s temporary stop remains before new information can be released next week.
– It is a complicated situation. We are continuing the investigation and we want to be sure that there are no groups that should not be offered this vaccine, says Anders Tegnell, a state epidemiologist with the Swedish Public Health Agency.
Anders Tegnell says that it is difficult to statistically pinpoint which groups should not take the Astra Zeneca vaccine because there are so few cases of side effects.
– It’s a good vaccine, sad if we can’t use it, he says.
Ulla Wändel Liminga, subject area manager at the Medical Products Agency, says she has been very active in EMA research.
– They have examined all the suspicious side effects reported up to Tuesday night and also during the day of yesterday. That’s what resulted in these recommendations, he says.
The Medical Products Agency urges those who have received the Astra Zeneca vaccine to be aware of new symptoms in the first two weeks after vaccination. This can be, for example, headaches, nausea, signs of bleeding, or new skin changes.
One of the steps being taken now is to update product information before resuming vaccination.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will also be reviewed.
– At present, we do not see anything worrisome about the other vaccines, says Ulla Wendel Liminga.
There are currently no plans to allow people to opt out of the Astra Zeneca vaccine, in the event that it is given the green light again.
– It would mean too many delays and the risk of having to throw the vaccines at the end of the day, says Anders Tegnell.
