NEW DELHI, Mar 12: The UK-based drugs company AstraZeneca insisted on Friday that its coronavirus vaccine was “safe” after some countries suspended its use in response to concerns about a potential link to blood clots.
“An analysis of our safety data of more than 10 million records has shown no evidence of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis in any defined age group, gender, batch or in any particular country from the jab,” a company spokesperson said.
“In fact, the observed number of these types of events are significantly lower in those vaccinated than would be expected among the general population,” the spokesman said.
The Pune-based Serum Institute of India is manufacturing “Covishield,” the Indian version of the AstraZeneca vaccine developed by it jointly with the Oxford University. Covishield is being widely used in India for the emergency vaccination drive covering the frontline workers, the senior citizens and the middle aged with co-morbidities.
(Manas Dasgupta)