'AZ Jongjuguk' UK Also Limits Vaccination

Excluding Under 30s Due to Thrombosis Risk
WHO and EMA Also Acknowledge Link
Korea Faces Vaccination Disruptions for Under 60s

AstraZeneca (AZ) COVID-19 Vaccine
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The UK has suspended AstraZeneca (AZ) COVID-19 vaccinations for those under 30. The UK, which had emphasized the safety of the AZ vaccine developed by its domestic pharmaceutical company, has effectively acknowledged concerns about blood clot side effects. As European countries such as Belgium and Italy also impose vaccination restrictions one after another, it is expected that global avoidance of the AZ vaccine will intensify.

On the 7th (local time), the UK government recommended, citing concerns about blood clot occurrences, that "those aged 18 to 29 should receive other vaccines if possible." This change in stance came after 79 rare blood clot cases were reported and 19 deaths occurred out of 20 million doses administered. The UK government explained, "This advice for certain age groups on which vaccine might be better is not due to serious safety concerns but is a very cautious measure."

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) acknowledged the possibility of a causal relationship with blood clot formation on the same day. WHO stated, "The causal relationship appears plausible but has not been confirmed," and said it would review additional data. EMA also said, "There is a possibility of an association with the rare occurrence of unusual blood clots."

However, both organizations and the UK health authorities maintained their previous position that the benefits of AZ vaccination outweigh the risks of side effects, noting that the likelihood of adverse effects is very low. Nevertheless, with even the UK imposing vaccination restrictions, anxiety about the AZ vaccine is deepening.

Belgium recommended vaccination only for those aged 56 and older, and Italy for those aged 60 and older on the same day. Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, and France had already announced that they would not administer the AZ vaccine to those under 60 and 55, respectively.

South Korea also decided to suspend AZ vaccinations for those under 60 as of the previous day (Korean time), following EMA's announcement. Since the AZ vaccine was scheduled to be administered to 7.7 million people, two-thirds of the second quarter vaccination target, the domestic vaccination plan has also been disrupted.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.