COVID-19: Benefits of AstraZeneca vaccine outweighs its risks- WHO

As of Tuesday, March 16, more than 12 countries, including Germany, Austria, and Netherlands had temporarily suspended the use of the University of Oxford and AstraZenaca co-developed COVID-19 vaccines, citing fears of blood clotting and low platelet count after jab. While there has been reported cases of death after vaccination, there has been no established proof linking the vaccine with the deaths so far.

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday, March 17, issued a statement, saying that countries can continue to use the AstraZeneca vaccine, stressing that the benefits outweigh its risks. WHO said it is in regular contact with the European Medicines Agency and regulators around the world for the latest information on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

The global health body noted that some countries in the European Union have temporarily suspended the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as a precautionary measure based on reports of rare blood coagulation disorders in persons while other countries in the EU, having considered the same information, have decided to continue using the vaccine in their immunization programs.

The organisation went further to reveal that its Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety is carefully assessing the latest available safety data for the AstraZeneca vaccine and once that review is completed, it will immediately communicate the findings to the public.

This will come as a major positive in the ongoing global vaccination program against COVID-19, especially with the news that former United State president, Donald Trump has encouraged his Republican counterparts and loyalists to get vaccinated.

Don’t forget to like this post and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more.