Denmark will prolong its suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine till April 15, the Danish Health Authority introduced on Thursday, as different European nations are restarting use of the vaccine.
Officials in Denmark wish to additional examine whether or not AstraZeneca vaccine is the trigger of an uncommon illness image involving low blood platelets, bleeding and blood clots in surprising locations in the physique, the head of the Danish Health Authority, Soren Brostrom, said.
The European Medical Agency, the continent’s high drug regulator, mentioned final week that it had discovered no sign of the vaccine inflicting such uncommon however harmful issues, and powerful proof that its lifesaving advantages “outweigh the risk of the side effects.”
The company introduced on Thursday that it was convening a bunch of exterior medical specialists to assist assess the security of the vaccine.
Denmark was the first nation to droop use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, on March 11. It has reported two deaths from mind hemorrhages amongst individuals who had acquired the shot.
Officials acknowledged that persevering with the suspension would result in delays in the vaccination course of.
“We are very conscious that a continued hold on vaccination with the Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca delays the Danish vaccination program,” Mr. Brostrom mentioned. “However, the vaccines are already in the refrigerator. If we decide to recommence vaccination with the Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca, we can quickly distribute and use the vaccines.”
The well being authorities in Sweden, which final week suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, mentioned on Thursday that the nation would resume its use for individuals over 65.
In different developments round the world:
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Schools in Romania will shut for 4 weeks beginning subsequent month as the Eastern European nation fights to curb its newest wave of Covid-19 instances. Most colleges will shut from April 2 to May 4, Sorin Cimpeanu, Romania’s schooling minister, mentioned on Thursday, extending the regular break for Orthodox and Catholic Easter.
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Travelers flying to Germany might want to present proof they examined destructive for Covid-19 earlier than boarding flights beginning on Sunday, the nation’s well being ministry mentioned on Thursday. Germans rushed to e book flights and accommodations in Portugal and Spain for Easter and Holy Week holidays after the authorities took these nations off its “at risk” listing that require individuals to quarantine upon return to Germany.
