EU Fails to Agree on Joint Guidelines for AZ Vaccine Use... Some Countries Suspend Vaccinations

Discussion to Continue on AZ Vaccine Usage Guidelines Related to Thrombotic Side Effects
Currently, Different Vaccination Guidelines Are Being Implemented by Country

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Health ministers of European Union (EU) member states gathered to discuss joint guidelines on the use of AstraZeneca (AZ) COVID-19 vaccine but failed to reach an agreement.

According to major foreign media on the 8th (local time), EU member state health ministers held an emergency video conference the day before after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) released an evaluation result indicating a link between the AZ vaccine and blood clot side effects.

Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health, emphasized during the meeting that "it is essential to follow a coordinated approach" and stressed "an approach that does not confuse citizens or fuel vaccine hesitancy."

However, the meeting, which continued late into the night, did not reach an agreement on joint guidelines for AZ vaccine administration. They decided to continue discussions on this matter later.

Earlier, Portugal, the rotating presidency of the EU, urged member state health ministers in a letter sent the day before the meeting to seek joint guidelines on the use of the AZ vaccine. Portugal stated in the letter, "We expect the EMA's announcement to have a direct and immediate impact not only on our national vaccination plans but also on citizens' trust in COVID-19 vaccines," adding, "A unified stance at the EU level will be essential to prevent the spread of misinformation."

The EMA's Safety Committee announced on the 7th that blood clots should be included as a side effect of the AZ vaccine. However, it concluded that the probability of blood clot occurrence is very rare.

The EMA reaffirmed its previous position that the benefits of receiving the vaccine for COVID-19 prevention outweigh the risks of side effects. It also maintained its recommendation for vaccination with the AZ vaccine for adults of all age groups.

However, as EU member states failed to agree on joint usage guidelines, they are issuing different age restriction recommendations regarding the AZ vaccine.

Germany recommends vaccination only for those aged 60 and over and advises those under 60 who have already received the first dose of the AZ vaccine to receive a different vaccine for the second dose.

Additionally, Spain's Ministry of Health announced it will administer the AZ vaccine only to those aged 60 to 65 going forward, while Estonia and Belgium decided to suspend vaccination for those under 60 and 56, respectively. Finland vaccinates only those aged 65 and over.

France recommends vaccination only for those aged 55 and over, Canada has suspended AZ vaccination for those under 56, and the Netherlands and Germany have suspended AZ vaccination for those under 60.