The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation(JVCI) has issued advice on AstraZeneca vaccine which continues to be met with reports that link it to blood clots.
In light of the slightly higher risk to younger people, the JVCI has weighed the balance of benefits and risks and advises that the benefits of vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine far outweigh the risk of this extremely rare condition for individuals 30 years of age and over and those who have underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of severe Covid-19 disease.
JCVI currently advises that it is preferable for adults aged under 30 years without underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe Covid-19 to be offered an “alternative” to the AstraZeneca vaccine, if available.
According to the advisory body, the benefit/risk balance is more finely balanced in the youngest adults aged 18 to 29 years compared to older adults because the benefits from vaccination increase steeply with age.
The advice to offer an alternative vaccine in this youngest adult age group is based on a careful assessment of the benefit/risk balance and has been made out of an “abundance” of caution and because an alternative vaccine is available for this age group.
The JCVI will continue to review data as they become available and will update advice where appropriate.
Reports from the UK and elsewhere have found AstraZeneca’s corona vaccine triggers an unusual blood clotting disorder.
On April 7,2021 EMA’s safety committee concluded that unusual blood clots with low blood platelets should be listed as very rare side effects of Vaxzevria (formerly Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca).
In reaching its conclusion, the committee took into consideration all currently available evidence, including the advice from an ad hoc expert group.
EMA reminded healthcare professionals and people receiving the vaccine to remain aware of the possibility of very rare cases of blood clots combined with low levels of blood platelets occurring within 2 weeks of vaccination.