5 more nations including Germany and France suspends use of AstraZeneca vaccine

New Delhi : Precautionary, temporary ban was announced on using AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine on Monday by Italy’s medicines regulator. The ban was announced amid new reports claiming people developing dangerous blood clots after taking the shot. Italy’s AIFA said the decision “was taken in line with similar measures adopted by other European countries.”

“Further looking into the matter is currently underway,” it added. The announcement followed by the death of a 57-year-old clarinet teacher, who received the vaccine in the northern Piedmont region on Saturday evening, as part of a national rollout for teachers, died at home early Sunday morning.

Autopsies have been ordered for that death, as well as to a handful of other deaths last week of others in Italy who had received the vaccine.

AstraZeneca and global health officials have claimed that the vaccine is safe. French President Emmanuel Macron has said that the use of the AstraZeneca Coronavirus vaccine in France is being suspended as a precaution. However, he did not give detailed information about the reasons why this is being done.

The Italian drug controller took precautionary measures on Monday to temporarily ban AstraZeneca’s use of the anti-Covid-19 vaccine. This step has been taken after reports of blood clotting incidents reported after taking the vaccine.

Italy said that this decision was taken in view of the steps taken by other European countries.

Germany also banned its use following reports of possible side effects of the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine. The government has said that this step was taken in the wake of reports of blood clots forming in the body after the vaccination.