Countries which formerly suspended the use of AstraZeneca vaccines due to the risks reported by some have started on Friday to resume the use of the vaccine shots after European and British regulators posited that the benefits overcame the risks posed.
Indonesia, Germany, France, Italy and others are now re-administering the shots of vaccines after reports of about 30 cases of rare blood clots following millions of injections Reuters reports.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) arrived at a conclusion that the benefits of the vaccine in protecting people from COVID-19 related deaths and hospitalisation were more than the possible risks.
EMA also said that the link between the blood clots and the shot could not be conclusively ruled out and it will continue to scrutinise along with the British Medicines and Healthcare products regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Emer Cooke, Director of the EMA, said, “This is a safe and effective vaccine. If it were me, I would be vaccinated tomorrow,” at a press briefing.
The agency said it will update its guidance on the vaccines to include an explanation for patients and the potential risks and information for healthcare professionals to help people recognize instances when they may need to seek medical assistance after being vaccinated according to Reuters.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also reaffirmed its trust in AstraZeneca vaccines which remains its most distributed COVAX vaccine programme.