UK Considers Restricting Use of Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine in Younger People Due to Rare Blood Clot Concerns

Strategic Insights -

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is reportedly considering restricting the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in younger people due to concerns about very rare cases of blood clots potentially linked to the vaccine. The British government has ordered 100 million doses of the jab, making it a key component of the national vaccination program. However, countries around the world have restricted its use after reports of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), where the veins that drain blood from the brain become blocked by a clot.

Key Takeaways:

  • The MHRA is considering restricting the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in younger people due to concerns about rare cases of blood clots.
  • The European Medicines Agency has warned that people being given the jab should be informed about the "remote possibility" of CVST.
  • The World Health Organisation has urged countries to continue using the vaccine.
  • Germany and the Netherlands have restricted the use of the vaccine in people under 60, while France has said it should not be used in people under 55.
  • The MHRA has received 22 reports of CVST and eight reports of other types of clotting in combination with low blood platelet counts after vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
  • Seven of those people have died.
  • The regulator has not received any similar reports related to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
  • Professor Neil Ferguson of Imperial College London has suggested that younger people may be at a higher risk of rare blood clots associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
  • The MHRA is conducting a thorough review into reports of rare blood clots and has not yet made a decision on regulatory action.

Statistics:

  • More than 18 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the UK, with a reported one case of CVST per 600,000 injections.
  • 22 reports of CVST and eight reports of other types of clotting have been received by the MHRA.
  • 7 of those who reported blood clots have died.

Sources:

  • Channel 4 News
  • Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
  • European Medicines Agency
  • World Health Organisation
  • Professor Neil Ferguson of Imperial College London