Despite EU calls on Member States for a more coordinated position on the AstraZeneca vaccine, countries follow different age limits for its administration.
It preceded the Communication from the European Medicines Agency (Coreper), who identified a possible link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and rare cases of thrombosis, saying it was “possibly related to very rare cases of unusual low platelet blood clots”.
At the same time, however, he stressed that “the benefit / risk balance remains positive”.
This was followed by an informal teleconference between the Ministers of Health, with EU Member States expressing differing interpretations of the conclusions of the European Medicines Agency report and seeking to clarify aspects related to the safety of Vaxzevria (vaccine). of AstraZeneca) with the EMA.
But how did EU member states and Britain react after Wednesday’s developments?
Italy
In a circular, the Italian Ministry of Health announced that the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine against coronavirus Recommended for people over 60, “Given the low rate of complications with blood clots and the high mortality from covid-19 recorded in the elderly”.
Nevertheless, the approval given for persons over 18 years of age is not revoked. Citizens who have already received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine will receive the second.
France
The health authorities of France have recommended that the vaccine be given to people 55 years of age and older. The green light was given to repeat the vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine “without delay”, at the same time recommending caution, as reported by Euronews.
Belgium
Belgium will only give the AstraZeneca vaccine to people over 55 years of age.
“Based on recent scientific advice, the country’s health ministers have decided to replace the AstraZeneca vaccine with other vaccines for those aged 18-55. “For those 56 and over, all vaccines will continue to be given,” the statement said.
United Kingdom
Do not give the AstraZeneca vaccine to adults under the age of 30 in the UK recommended on Wednesday (7/4) the competent advisory body for vaccinations.
According to the Guardian, it was decided at these ages to give another coronavirus vaccine instead of AstraZeneca, if available in their area and if they are healthy and not at high risk for Covid.
Spain
The Spanish government announced on Wednesday that it had decided on the vaccine of the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical industry AstraZeneca for the new coronavirus to continue to be granted, but only to citizens between 60 and 65 years old, following announcements by European and British regulators confirming the association of the product with rare cases of thrombosis in the brain.
“We will continue to give the AstraZeneca vaccine, but (to citizens) from 60 to 65 years old,” said Spanish Health Minister Carolina Daryas during a press conference after a meeting with the heads of regional health services.
Sweden
The Swedish Medicines Agency has announced that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine for Covid-19 outweigh the risks, as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said earlier that it had identified a possible link between the vaccine and rare vaccines. Sweden suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in March, following reports of this rare but serious side effect. He then resumed vaccinations, but only in people over 65 years of age.
Hellas
As far as our country is concerned, the National Vaccination Committee will most likely give its opinion on the Astrazeneca vaccine today or tomorrow at the latest, the Secretary General of Primary Care of the Ministry of Health told ERT.
“We do not expect anything to change radically in our vaccination program and there is no question in any European country about discontinuing AstraZeneca vaccinations. What is being discussed is age restrictions “, he said.
Nothing is changing in Australia
Australia, meanwhile, is not currently going to modify deliveries of the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said today after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) identified a possible link between the rare blood clots in blood and vaccine.
Australian health authorities have ordered an urgent investigation of the findings by Coreper Morrison is awaiting updates later today from the Drug Administration and the Vaccination Advisory Group.
Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said the country’s drug regulator was free to make its decision “honestly and without fear”, including the possibility of ending the vaccine for people under the age of 30.
“If they give us age restrictions or other changes, we will do it, we will adopt it,” Hunt said in a televised press briefing, as broadcast by Reuters and relayed by the Athens News Agency.
Australian authorities had pledged to make at least 4 million first installments by the end of March but had only 670,000 installments available.
The government attributed the delay to issues raised with Europe.
The Australian Government is considering accelerating the AstraZeneca Vaccine Vaccination Schedule as local production of 50 million doses in Australia is planned by CSL Ltd.
Vaccinations in the country, started much later, compared to other countries, due to the small number of cases of infection by COVID-19, with less than 29,400 cases of infection and 909 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
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