Denmark, Norway, Iceland Pause AstraZeneca COVID‑19 Jabs Amid Blood‑Clot Worries
Health authorities in Denmark, Norway and Iceland hit the pause button on the AstraZeneca vaccine on Thursday, March 11. Why? Because a few people, after getting the shot, started developing blood clots—a condition that raised red flags and sparked a chain of investigations.
Quick Take on the Situation
- Denmark halted the shots for two weeks following the tragic death of a 60‑year‑old woman who had received a dose from the same batch that was already under scrutiny in Austria.
- Norway and Iceland pulled the vaccine in suspense, awaiting more information from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
- Despite the suspension, the EMA insists that the vaccine’s benefits outweigh its risks and can still be used.
What Went Down in Austria?
Austria had already stopped using a batch of AstraZeneca shots, where a dead person was found to have suffered from coagulation disorders. A patient had also fallen victim to a pulmonary embolism. That cocktail of events prompted the German‑speaking nations to step in.
The Global Picture
- Europe is scrambling to get vaccines out faster, especially after delays from Pfizer and AstraZeneca.
- A new virus variant is causing case spikes, leading to fresh lockdowns in Italy, France and elsewhere.
- But even with the hiccup, most experts still back the vaccine’s safety profile.
Health Ministers Speak Out
Danish Health Minister Magnus Heunicke tweeted, “It is currently not possible to conclude whether there is a link. We are acting early, and it needs a thorough investigation.” In Norway, Geir Bukholm from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health told a press conference that the pause was a “cautionary decision.” He promised updates once more data are available.
Expert Insight
- Professor Stephen Evans (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) warned that spontaneous vaccine report lists make it hard to tell whether a reaction is really caused by the vaccine or just happened by chance.
- Phil Bryan (UK MHRA) said the blood‑clot reports so far do not exceed what would naturally happen in a vaccinated population.
Big Pharma’s Response
AstraZeneca released a statement saying their safety data from over 10 million vaccinations show no increased risk of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis. In fact, they noted fewer such events than expected in the general population. The company is collaborating with Austrian authorities and pledging full support for investigations.
Regulatory Outlook
- The EMA found no link between the vaccine and the two Austrian cases.
- They also reported that among the 3 million people vaccinated as of March 9, only 22 thromboembolic events were recorded—just as you’d expect in the general populace.
- Other EU member states—Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Latvia—have paused the same batch while they dig deeper.
- Sweden’s Medical Products Agency dismissed the need to suspend the vaccine, citing no evidence of a causal relationship.
Impact on Denmark
- The Danish Medicines Agency launched a joint investigation with other EU regulators.
- Out of 5.8 million Danes, 138,148 have already had the AstraZeneca shot.
- Denmark foresees that fully vaccinating its population will be pushed back by four weeks, targeting August 15.
What About Spain?
Spain announced it has not recorded any blood‑clot cases linked to AstraZeneca and will keep rolling out the vaccine.
Takeaway
In short, several European countries paused AstraZeneca doses as a precaution to ensure safety, while regulators confirm the vaccine remains a valuable tool against COVID‑19. For now, the pause feels more like a “let’s double‑check” than a permanent ban.
Stay tuned for more updates on the ongoing vaccine developments.
