France has joined other European countries including Germany, Italy, Spain and eight others to suspend the use of AstraZeneca vaccine over increased complaints of blood clots.
“The decision has been made … to suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine as a precaution, hoping that we can resume its use quickly if the judgement of the EMA (European Medicines Agency) allows it,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, March 15, 2021.
Germany, Spain and Italy have also announced they are suspending the use of AstraZeneca vaccine till full safety is assured.
Norway, Iceland, Austria, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Italy, and Latvia have already suspended the use of AstraZeneca vaccine following reports that it is causing blood clots in patients.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has defended the COVID-19 vaccine and said it has seen no evidence that it is causing blood clotting in recipients.
The Nigerian health authorities have also maintained that the batch of AstraZeneca vaccine (ABV5300) recently delivered into the country is safe to use and has no side effect.
