AstraZeneca vaccine: Wei Shen Lim discusses 'decision' on jab
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) concluded on Wednesday there are still huge benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing COVID-19. It also has not concluded that the rare blood clots are a direct result of immunisation – although the agency confirms the link is getting stronger. Dr June Raine, chief executive of the MHRA, told a press conference the clots were “extremely rare”. Dr Raine added: “Based on the current evidence, the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca against Covid and its associated risks – hospitalisations and deaths – continues to outweigh the risks for the vast majority of people.
“Our review has reinforced that the risk of this rare suspected side effect remains extremely small.”
She added: “The evidence is firming up and our review has concluded that while it’s a strong possibility, more work is needed to establish beyond all doubt that the vaccine has caused these side effects.
Professor Wei Shen, chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said the recommendation to prefer other vaccines to AstraZeneca for those aged under 30 was “out of the utmost caution”, rather than due to any “serious safety concerns”.
A review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Wednesday concluded that “unusual blood clots with low blood platelets should be listed as very rare side effects” of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Is the vaccine safe for pregnant women?
The latest information from the MHRA states pregnant women should speak to their GP or healthcare professional before having the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The advice reads: “Pregnancy predisposes to thrombosis, therefore women should discuss with their healthcare professional whether the benefits of having the vaccine outweigh the risks for them.”
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, chairman of the Commission on Human Medicines, reiterated the MHRA’s advice.
He said the current data suggests expectant mums should carry on consulting healthcare professionals before booing a vaccine appointment.
People with a history of blood clotting should only consider the AstraZeneca vaccine when the benefits outweigh the risks.
Anyone who experiences a cerebral blood clot combined with low platelets after having the vaccine should not have their second dose.
Pregnant women can get a Covid vaccine if it is decided between her and her doctor that the benefits will outweigh any potential risks and side effects.
Guidance from the JCVI says jabs should be considered during pregnancy when their risk of exposure to the virus is high and can’t be avoided.
DON’T MISS
Under-30s in Britain will NOT get the AstraZeneca jab – MHRA confirms [REPORT]
AstraZeneca vaccine is SAFE: EU regulator says blood clots ‘very rare’ [INSIGHT]
Van-Tam pleads Britons to get jabbed despite MHRA ‘course correction’ [ANALYSIS]
This same advice for pregnancy is also issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
However, the JCVI also warned that women with underlying health conditions that are at greater risk of catching the virus should consider vaccination.
That means pregnant women who are eligible to get vaccinated are among the current priority groups, and should be offered a first dose by mid-April.
The NHS will directly contact those who are eligible, and if you’re pregnant, make sure to remember to consult your doctor before doing anything.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) says “the decision whether to have the vaccination in pregnancy is your choice”.
Breastfeeding women can also now have a vaccine after previously being advised against it.
But the RCOG says women should be advised that there’s a lack of data to definitely confirm vaccinations are safe for breastfeeding mothers.
Women who are trying to conceive can also have a vaccine as there’s no evidence getting immunised will have any effect on fertility.
Source: Read Full Article