Breaking: Health Authorities orders Ireland to suspend Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine over clotting concerns

Ireland should temporarily halt its use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab after some reports of blood clots in vaccinated people, health authorities say.

The call came after a review from the Norwegian Medicines Agency showed four new cases of “serious blood clotting in adults” had occurred after the jab.

Ireland’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, said following the report and discussions with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) had recommended that “the administration of COVID-19Vaccine AstraZeneca be temporarily deferred from this morning, Sunday 14th March”.

He added: “It has not been concluded that there is any link between the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca and these cases.

“However, acting on the precautionary principal, and pending receipt of further information, the NIAC has recommended the temporary deferral of the COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca vaccination programme in Ireland.

“The NIAC is due to meet again this morning. A further statement will follow thereafter.”Advertisement

Just two days ago the World Health Organisation said the vaccination was “excellent” and “no causal relationship had been established between the shot and the health problems reported”.