SOME countries are restricting use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to certain age groups, or suspending use, after European and British regulators confirmed possible links to rare blood clots.
Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine has also been hit by concerns over blood clots. European regulators will issue findings later of their review into clotting issues in adults who had received the shot in the United States.
U.S. health agencies recommended pausing the single shot’s use temporarily on April 13 after reports of six cases in women under 50. A health advisory panel will meet on April 23 to discuss whether the pause should continue.
J&J has stated that no clear causal relationship has been established between the clots and its vaccine.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has so far maintained that the benefits of the AstraZeneca and J&J shots outweigh any risks.
COUNTRIES USING THE ASTRAZENECA VACCINE WITH RESTRICTIONS
AUSTRALIA
Recommended on April 8 that people under 50 should get Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in preference to AstraZeneca’s.
BRITAIN
Vaccination committee has said an alternative should be given for people under 30 where possible, but that people who have received a first dose of the vaccine should get a second shot.
BULGARIA
Suspended use of vaccine on April 19 for women below 60 years who are at increased risk of thrombosis.
CANADA
Said in early April it would pause offering the vaccine to people under 55 and require a new analysis of the shot.
ESTONIA
Suspended use for people under 60 on April 7.
FRANCE
Using vaccine only for people aged 55 and over. On April 9, recommended that people under 55 who have had a first dose of the AstraZeneca shot should receive a messenger RNA vaccine for their second dose.
FINLAND
Using only for people aged 65 and over.
GEORGIA
Using only in medical centres following the death of a nurse, Russian news agency TASS reported on March 19.
GERMANY
Restricts use to those aged over 60. Recommended on April 1 that people under 60 who have had a first dose of AstraZeneca should receive a different second shot.
INDONESIA
Using the vaccine but has warned against giving it to people with a low blood platelet count.
IRELAND
Said on April 12 it was restricting use of the vaccine to those over 60.
ITALY
Recommends use only for people over 60.
MEXICO
Drug regulator Cofepris said on April 7 it did not “at this time” plan to limit the vaccine’s use but was investigating the information raised by Britain.
NETHERLANDS
Said on April 8 it would limit use of the vaccine to people over 60.
NORTH MACEDONIA
Health minister said on March 31 the vaccine would be limited to people aged over 60 as a precautionary measure.
PHILIPPINES
Said April 19 it would resume administering the vaccine to under-60s after having temporarily suspended use on April 8.
SOUTH KOREA
Resumed use of the shot for people aged 30 or older on April 12 after suspending use in under-60s on April 7.
SPAIN
From April 8, giving the vaccine only to people over 60.
SWEDEN
Using for people aged 65 and older.
COUNTRIES WHERE ASTRAZENECA VACCINE USE IS SUSPENDED
CAMEROON
Said on March 18 it was suspending administration of shots the country was due to receive via the COVAX global vaccines-sharing scheme.
DENMARK
Said on April 14 it would stop using the AstraZeneca vaccine, the first country to do so. On April 19, Ritzau news agency reported that authorities may permit people to choose to have the vaccine.
NORWAY
The government suspended administration of the shot on March 11 and is assessing whether to follow an Institute of Public Health recommendation to end its use.
COUNTRIES WITH J&J VACCINE DELAYS AND RESTRICTIONS
EUROPEAN UNION
J&J said it would delay rollout of the vaccine to Europe after regulators said they were reviewing rare blood clots. Findings by the EMA’s safety committee are expected later on Tuesday.
Use in the EU was not yet widespread as the company only began deliveries in the week of April 12. The EMA recommended storing doses already received pending its recommendations.
BELGIUM
Delayed J&J rollout at the company’s request.
POLAND
Started administering the J&J shot on April 15, saying benefits outweigh potential risks
GREECE
Suspended rollout of J&J vaccinations on April 19, pending EMA decision.
SOUTH AFRICA
Suspended use of J&J’s vaccine on April 13.
UNITED STATES
On April 13, U.S. federal health agencies recommended pausing use of J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine for at least a few days after six women under the age of 50 developed rare blood clots after receiving the shot.
On April 15, U.S. CDC advisory panel decided to delay a vote to April 23 on how best to use the J&J shot.
