Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) Vaccine: Risks and Benefits Explained

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) published an update on April 23, 2021, stating 'Vaxzevria (formerly COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca) benefits outweigh its risks in adults of all age groups.

'However, very rare cases of blood clots with low blood platelets have occurred following vaccination.'

'There has not been enough exposure and follow-up time to determine whether the risk of blood clots with low blood platelets after a second Vaxzevria vaccine dose will differ from the risk after the first dose. At present, there are no or limited data to change current recommendations.

To support national authorities making decisions on how to best use the vaccine in their territories, the EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has further analyzed available data to put the risk of these very rare blood clots in the context of the vaccine’s benefits for different age groups and different rates of infection.

The CHMP analysis will inform national decisions on the rollout of the vaccine, taking into account the pandemic situation as it evolves and other factors, such as vaccine availability. The analysis could change as new data become available.

Vaxzevria is made up of another virus (of the adenovirus family) that has been modified to contain the gene for making a protein from SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine does not contain the virus itself and cannot cause COVID-19.

Based in The Netherlands, the European Medicines Agency is a decentralized agency of the European Union responsible for the scientific evaluation, supervision, and safety monitoring of medicines.