Thread by @KateAndrs

Update from the European Medicines Agency is quite a significant mixed bag. Officially recommends blood clots be listed as 'very rare side effect' - but doubles down on safety of vaccine overall: ema.europa.eu/en/news/astraz…

'EMA is reminding healthcare professionals and people receiving the vaccine to remain aware of the possibility of very rare cases of blood clots combined with low levels of blood platelets occurring within 2 weeks of vaccination.'

Very important to emphasise this is the first major update we're getting on this - more data will be needed. But there is suggestion of a gender & age element as well: 'So far, most of the cases reported have occurred in women under 60 years of age within 2 weeks of vaccination.'

This immediate update from the UK's medical regulator suggests its findings are being taken very seriously

https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1379800423985520642?s=20

What is likely to go overlooked is the extent to which the EMA doubles down on its support for the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab: 'confirms overall benefit-risk remains positive'; 'EMA’s scientific assessment underpins the safe and effective use of COVID-19 vaccines'

However, this result is almost certainly going to knock some confidence in the vaccine. People coming forward to the get the jab (especially women aged under 60) may now be more likely to request a different vaccine. Their concerns & supply will need to be taken into account.