Austria Suspends Use of AZ Vaccine Following Deaths

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Austria has suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. This decision follows reports of deaths and pulmonary disease symptoms among those vaccinated.

On the 7th (local time), the Austrian Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (BASG) reported two adverse events after vaccination, including a death, in the southern town of Zwettl, according to local media.

Both individuals are nurses at the Zwettl Clinic, which was designated as a vaccination center. A 49-year-old woman died due to severe blood clotting disorder after vaccination. A 35-year-old woman suffered from pulmonary embolism but is currently recovering.

Austrian health authorities have launched an investigation into these adverse events. As a precaution, AstraZeneca vaccinations will be suspended until the investigation is completed.

BASG stated, "Blood clotting is not a side effect of the vaccine," and added, "There is currently no evidence of a causal relationship between the death and the vaccination." This was in response to some media reports suggesting a link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and the death.

AstraZeneca emphasized that all their vaccines undergo strict quality control and that no serious side effects have been reported so far.

On the same day, AstraZeneca said, "Our vaccine, approved in over 50 countries, has so far proven to be safe and effective," and added, "We will cooperate with the Austrian health authorities' investigation."