AstraZeneca has high take-up despite link to clots, says HSE

There is continuing take-up of the AstraZeneca vaccine despite an investigation finding a probable link with very rare blood clots.

A spokeswoman for the HSE said there has been a significant demand to receive the Covid-19 vaccine to date, “which is welcomed”.

“All indications are that there is a very high take-up of vaccination where it has been offered so far. We expect this positive trend to continue.”

She said the HSE strongly encourages all members of the public who are registered for their Covid-19 vaccine to attend for their appointment.

Participation in vaccination programmes in Ireland is not mandatory, she said.

“Complete data of those who decline the vaccine is not currently available.”

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee is still assessing the conclusions of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which found a probable link between the AstraZeneca jab and small number of cases of unusual blood clots. It said the benefits in protection from Covid-19 outweigh the low risk.

One woman in this country who got the vaccine and developed a clot in her brain has recovered.

Meanwhile, a second “game-changer” Covid-19 vaccine for Ireland is also being investigated for a possible link with blood clots. The EMA said yesterday it is probing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the first supplies of which are due here the week after next.

It is examining a potential causal link between four “serious cases of unusual blood clots” with a low platelet count and the Johnson & Johnson jab.

The vaccine is currently only being used in the United States where the cases were reported.

 

Reluctant

Ireland expects 40,800 doses of this vaccine later this month, with 132,000 due in May and 432,000 in June.

It is seen as particularly useful because it only requires one shot and would be effective in immunising some vulnerable groups who might be reluctant to attend for a second jab.

The EMA said one case occurred in a clinical trial and that three cases occurred during the vaccine roll out in the USA. One of them was fatal.

The EMA said it was “currently not clear whether there is a causal association” between the shot and the adverse event.

In a statement, Johnson & Johnson’s office located in Dublin said that it was aware that thromboembolic events, including those with thrombocytopenia, have been reported in the use of its Covid-19 vaccines.

“Our close tracking of side effects has revealed a small number of very rare events following vaccination.

“At present, no clear causal relationship has been established between these rare events and the vaccine.

“We continue to work closely with experts and regulators to assess the data and support the open communication of this information to healthcare professionals and the public to ensure that, in the event of a very rare illness, appropriate steps can be taken for quick diagnosis and treatment.”

Latest official figures from the vaccination roll-out show, as of Monday, 667,182 people received their first dose and 273,701 are fully vaccinated.

However it was reported on Thursday that one million people had been vaccinated.

Irish Independent