EMA Finds No ‘Causal Link’ Between AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccine and Blood Clots

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) confirmed yesterday that it has not found any causal link between blood clots and inoculation with the AstraZeneca (AZ) COVID-19 vaccine.

The agency has not yet been able to identify specific risk factors, such as age, gender or previous medical history which may be causing the clotting. So far, 62 cases of cerebral blood clots have been reported to the EMA, including several resulting in death.

“Our position has not changed,” said EMA Director Emer Cooke, who noted that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing COVID-19 with its associated risks of hospitalization and death outweigh the risks of side effects.

By the EMA’s estimates, 9.2 million people in the European Economic Area have received the AstraZenec vaccine, but there is “no evidence that would support restricting the use of this vaccine in any population.”

The agency said it will investigate additional cases from Germany and elsewhere ahead of follow-up meetings slated for April 6-9.

In other AZ news, the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker announced that it has changed the name of its vaccine in Europe from COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca to Vaxzevria. ― Jason Scott