Denmark to extend suspension of AstraZeneca shot

Denmark will suspend its use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine for another three weeks pending further investigations into a potential link between the vaccine and blood clots, broadcaster TV 2 reported on Thursday, citing sources.

The Danish Medicines Agency said later it still cannot rule out the possible connection between the shot and the reported serious side effects but that it would make a final decision within the next three weeks. It said concern persists even after the EMA’s recommendation backing the vaccine. It was still analysing two cases with unusual course of illness following vaccination with AstraZeneca and awaiting the results.

Two weeks ago, Denmark was among the first countries in Europe to temporarily suspend the use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine after a small number of reported cases of rare brain blood clots, registered both in Denmark and elsewhere.

Most countries which temporarily suspended the vaccine have now resumed administering AstraZeneca shots following recommendations from the European Union’s drug watchdog and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Both the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the WHO said last week the benefits of AstraZeneca’s vaccine outweighed the risks following investigations into the blood clot reports.

The government briefed the Danish parliament about the continued suspension on Thursday morning, TV 2 said.

According to TV 2, the suspension was extended because authorities are still awaiting results of further investigations into a possible link between the vaccine and blood clots.

The uncertainty surrounding the vaccine seems to have had an effect on Danes’ confidence in the drug. A survey made this week indicated that one in three Danes would decline the chance to get a COVID-19 shot using AstraZeneca’s vaccine.

Only 7% would decline regardless of which COVID-19 vaccine, they were offered.