Thread by @PSampathkumarMD

Astra Zeneca vaccine has been paused in many European countries due to concerns about blood clots. What do we know. What does this mean?

1/ 17 million doses in UK and EU - To date 15 cases of deep vein thrombosis & 22 cases of pulmonary embolism. Rate is not higher than expected

2/However cases of blood clots veins in the brain, called central venous sinus thrombosis have been reported. These are very rare occurrences and this is concerning

3/ So far Denmark, Norway, Bulgaria, Iceland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, and Cyprus have suspended all use of the vaccine. Five other countries (Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Luxembourg) have paused the use of a single batch of the vaccine.

4/ Germany -  1.6 million doses of vaccine
7 cases of cerebral venous thrombosis and thrombocytopenia
All in people between 20 and 50 years
4-16 days after vaccination
3 deaths

5/ Spain
1 million doses
1 case of cerebral venous thrombosis

6/ Norway
3 cases of central venous sinus thrombosis.

7/ Austria  
3 cases of "severe blood clots" but not clear if any were central venous sinus thrombosis.

8/ We need more data to determine if these clots are  related to vaccine or are coincidence. And if related to vaccine, what the excess risk over baseline is.

9/ The risk at this time appears very small compared to the benefits of the vaccine. But if the link is confirmed we need to identify those at risk and counsel them about the risk vs benefits prior to vaccination.

10/ EU regulators and EMA have stated that the benefits outweigh any risk and have urged counties not to pause vaccination. apnews.com/article/eu-reg…