LONDON (AP) – The world awaited the results Thursday of an initial European investigation into whether AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine is linked to blood clots reported in a small number of people who received the shot.
Concerns over the clotting led more than a dozen European countries, including Germany, France, Italy and Spain, to suspend use of the vaccine over the past week, even though the company and international health agencies said there was no indication the shots were to blame and recommended continuing with the vaccinations.
The European Union drug regulator’s expert committee was expected to report its analysis Thursday, including whether any new precautions should be taken, such as adding warnings to the product.
Clots that form in the arms, legs or elsewhere can break free and travel to the heart, brain or lungs, causing strokes, heart attacks or other deadly blockages.
While many countries have continued to use the AstraZeneca vaccine, there are concerns the debate could seriously undermine confidence in the shot, which is key to efforts to vaccinate the world’s population, especially in poorer countries.