PUTRAJAYA – The number of blood clot or thrombosis cases that occur after receiving the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine jab is low and rare, said the Health Ministry’s (MoH) Covid-19 Vaccine Candidate Selection Sub-Committee chairman, Dr Kalaiarasu M. Periasamy.
According to him, based on data from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and European Medicines Agency (EMA), there have been 168 cases of thrombosis detected worldwide since March and, during that period, about 21.6 million individuals worldwide have received the AstraZeneca vaccine jab.
“This is a very small number compared to the number of vaccine doses (administered). In fact, there is no evidence, even though (this has been) voiced by EMA,” he said at a media engagement session on vaccines here today.
Although some countries had previously suspended the use of the vaccine in their respective countries due to the side effects, AstraZeneca administration has resumed after the latest data was obtained, he said.
Belgium, for example, is one country that paused the use of the AstraZeneca shot, but resumed it after the EMA gave assurance of its safety, he said.
To boost the people’s confidence in the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, Deputy Health Director-General (Education and Technical Support) Dr Hishamshah Mohd Ibrahim explained that each vaccine was purchased after it underwent an evaluation process by the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee and National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency.
He said the process is aimed at ensuring each Covid-19 vaccine met safety, health and quality standards for the human body.
“People’s confidence (regarding the use of vaccines) must be ensured, and (so informed) that any side effects, such as blood clots, are a rare occurrence.
“We will also continuously monitor the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine to see what side effects occur,” he added.
According to media reports, the AstraZeneca vaccine developed by Oxford University was reported to have a 76% effectiveness against symptomatic infections for three months after the first dose, and the percentage (of effectiveness) is expected to increase if the recipient is given a second dose.
Malaysia received 268,800 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine through the Covax facility last Saturday.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and will be used in the vaccination process for people aged 60 and above.
Meanwhile, MoH infectious disease physician Dr Benedict Sim Lim Heng advised vaccine recipients to refer to any hospital if they experience side effects within four to 14 days, even if they have taken painkillers.
According to him, among the side effects after the vaccine injection are severe headache, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, as well as shortness of breath. – Bernama, April 26, 2021
