Dogged already by rows with European politicians, AstraZeneca was forced anew to defend its coronavirus vaccine on Friday over concerns about a potential link to blood clots.
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The decision of some countries in Europe and Asia to suspend their use of the Covid-19 jab was extra bad news for the UK-based pharmaceutical company, which has taken a knock with investors even as authorities around the world insist the jab remains safe.
“An analysis of our safety data of more than 10 million records has shown no evidence of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis in any defined age group, gender, batch or in any particular country” from the jab, AstraZeneca said.
“In fact, the observed number of these types of events are significantly lower in those vaccinated than would be expected among the general population.”
The jab, developed with Oxford University, forms the mainstay of Britain’s vaccination programme, and of many developing economies. It is relatively cheap, and easier to store than other jabs.
But it has been repeatedly hit by controversy in Europe, with some governments initially refusing to certify its use for people aged over 65 — initially over sparse data proving it was safe for the elderly, although this has now been provided.
The company has also been embroiled in a dispute with the European Union over its delivery schedule, amid accusations that it is favouring Britain because its home country secured a contract earlier, prior to its full exit from the EU.
The controversies have taken a toll on public confidence in Europe, with millions of AstraZeneca jabs sitting unused to the consternation of experts who say that needless rows are setting the inoculation campaign back.
“When something bad happens after you have had a vaccination, it’s natural enough to wonder whether the vaccine was the cause,” said Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol in southwest England.
But in any mass…
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