UK: Under 30 to Be Offered Alternative to AstraZeneca Vaccine

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the UK’s regulator of medicines, is now recommending that people under 30 be offered an alternative to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine after its investigation into blot clotting, post-vaccine.

The MHRA’s performed a review of the vaccine through March 31 and found 79 case of blood clotting in the UK alongside low levels of platelets (thrombocytopenia) after the first administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Their review found:

• 44 of the 79 cases were of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) with thrombocytopenia
• 35 of the 79 cases were of thrombosis in other major veins with thrombocytopenia
• 79 cases occurred in 51 women and 28 men, aged from 18 to 79 years. It should be noted that more women have been vaccinated with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca than men.
• Sadly, 19 people have died out of the 79 cases–13 females and 6 males. 11 out of the 19 people who died were under the age of 50, 3 of whom were under 30. 14 of these 19 cases were of CVST with thrombocytopenia and 5 were of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia.

“We thoroughly analyze each and every report as we receive it and although the number of reports of CVST and other thromboembolic events has increased over the last week, so has the overall number of vaccinations administered, therefore these blood clots remain extremely rare and unlikely to occur,” June Raine, MD, MHRA Chief Executive, said.

The MHRA warned that anyone who experienced cerebral or other blot clots that occurred with low levels of platelets should not have their second dose.

And for those who did not have these side effects, should get their second dose.

In addition, the MHRA cautioned everyone who might run this health risk. “Administration of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca in people of any age who are at higher risk of blood clots because of their medical condition should be considered only if benefits from the protection from COVID-19 infection outweighs potential risks,” the regulatory body wrote on its website.