Oxford Covid-19 vaccine: Nicola Sturgeon says ‘no evidence’ AztraZeneca jab causes blood clots, as Netherlands and Republic of Ireland pause use

Nicola Sturgeon has backed scientific advice from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) that insists the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe, after a number of countres paused their use of the jab.

This morning it emerged that the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland had stopped administering the vaccine as a “precautionary measure”, over concerns that it can cause blood clots in some recipients.

Speaking at the Scottish Government’s daily briefing, the First Minister said: “In the UK, the decision to suspend use of the vaccine is a matter for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

“The MRHA has confirmed to us that there is no current evidence of an increase in blood clots being caused by the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“The MRHA is continuing to monitor this carefully and remains in regular contact with other regulators.

“There is, however, significant and growing evidence of the benefits of vaccination reducing death, illness and we hope now reducing transmission as well.

She added: “For all these reasons and based on the advice and opinion of the MRHA, I’d continue to urge people to come forward for vaccination including with the AstraZeneca vaccine when you are invited to do so.”

Ms Sturgeon added that, as of Monday morning, 1,908,991 people have now received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, up 20,294 from yesterday, and 161,945 received their second dose.

Nicola Sturgeon has backed scientific advice from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) that insists the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe, after a number of countres paused their use of the jab. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)

Her comments echo those of Dr Phil Bryan, vaccines safety chief at the MHRA, who said: “We are aware of the action in Ireland.

“We are closely reviewing reports but given the large number of doses administered, and the frequency at which blood clots can occur naturally, the evidence available does not suggest the vaccine is the cause.

“People should still go and get their Covid-19 vaccine when asked to do so.”

AstraZeneca said its review had found no evidence of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or thrombocytopenia, in any defined age group, gender, batch or in any particular country.

Speaking at the Scottish Government’s daily briefing, the First Minister said: “In the UK, the decision to suspend use of the vaccine is a matter for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency." (Photo by Michael Schofield - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The company said available safety data in more than 17 million people who have been vaccinated across the UK and EU has shown no evidence of an increased risk.

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