EMA "Do Not Receive AZ Vaccine If History of Mosehyeolgwannuchul Syndrome"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The European Medicines Agency (EMA) advised on the 11th (local time) that individuals with a history of capillary leak syndrome should not receive the COVID-19 vaccine from the multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca (AZ).

The EMA Safety Committee concluded on the same day that people who have previously suffered from capillary leak syndrome should not be vaccinated with the AZ vaccine. Additionally, it stated that capillary leak syndrome should be added as a new side effect in the product information for this vaccine.

Capillary leak syndrome is a very rare but serious condition in which fluid leaks from the capillaries, causing swelling in the arms and legs or hypotension, explained the EMA. The EMA said that after an in-depth review of six cases of capillary leak syndrome occurring in people who received the AZ vaccine, most of these cases appeared in women within four days of vaccination.

The EMA emphasized that healthcare professionals should be aware of the signs and symptoms of this condition and that if rapid swelling of the arms or legs or sudden weight gain occurs within a few days after receiving the AZ vaccine, immediate medical attention should be sought. It also added that dizziness caused by hypotension may occur simultaneously.

Previously, the EMA concluded that the AZ COVID-19 vaccine should include very rare cases of unusual blood clots accompanied by thrombocytopenia as side effects.