Covid-19: Ireland suspends use of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine

The use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been suspended in the Republic of Ireland.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended the move following reports of serious blood clotting events in adults in Norway.

In a tweet, the Irish Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said it was a “precautionary step”.

The World Health Organisation has said there was no link between the jab and an increased risk of developing a clot.

The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said it was aware of the suspension in Ireland and was “closely reviewing reports”.

“But given the large number of doses administered, and the frequency at which blood clots can occur naturally, the evidence available does not suggest the vaccine is the cause.”

On Friday, the World Health Organisation said countries should not stop using the vaccine over fears it causes blood clots as there is no indication this is true.

More than 110,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been administered in Ireland, which is about 20% of all doses given to date.

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