Alternative AstraZeneca vaccine to be offered to under 40s

An alternative to the AstraZeneca vaccine will be offered to everyone under the age of 40 as a precautionary measure. 

There have been recent concerns surrounding links between the AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots.

The number of reports of CVST and other thromboembolic events has increased over the last week

However, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is expected to state that they believe there are no new safety concerns. 

MHRA has stated that the AstraZeneca vaccine worked better in younger age groups and those who are less vulnerable.

Recent data from MHRA showed that out of 28.5 million doses they had received 242 reports of blood clots from people in the UK. This was from those issued the AstraZeneca vaccine. 

93 cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), a rare type of brain blood clot, had been reported by those averaging around the age of 47 and a further 149 reported major thromboembolic events that came with a low blood platelet count. 

MHRA stresses that these blood clots are extremely rare: “The public’s safety is always at the forefront of our minds and we take every report of a suspected side effect very seriously indeed.

“We thoroughly analyse each and every report as we receive it and although the number of reports of CVST and other thromboembolic events has increased over the last week, so has the overall number of vaccinations administered, therefore these blood clots remain extremely rare and unlikely to occur”.

The Government is continuing to encourage people to come forward for their vaccine. If you have any concerns, please refer to Gov.uk for advice or if you are feeling unwell call 111.