Public Health experts reassure people about vaccine’s safety

The Directors of Public Health in West Yorkshire are urging people not to be put off from having the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, which they say is not only safe but playing an important role in saving lives.

Some European countries have paused the use of the vaccine as a precautionary measure, following reports of blood clots in a small number of people who had recently had the vaccine. However, the five directors of public health have joined together to reassure people about the vaccine’s safety and have issued the following statement:

“We are really disappointed that a number of countries have temporarily paused the use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine against the advice of the World Health Organisation and the European Medicines Agency.

“There is no evidence that the vaccine can cause blood clots. There have been 37 reports of blood clots following over 17 million doses of the vaccine being given, which is actually fewer than you would expect to see just by chance in this number of people.

“As the UK regulator has said, the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is an excellent vaccine and is helping us to fight back against Covid-19. It is safe and effective and we would strongly urge people to have the vaccine when they are offered it. Getting vaccinated is our best hope for returning to normal life and protecting ourselves and our loved ones against this awful virus.”

 

This post is based on a press release issued by NHS Leeds

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