The European Medical Agency (EMA) is due to makes its decision on the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine this afternoon. The vaccine was pulled by 13 member states, including Ireland due to safety concerns after a small number of people developed blood clots after vaccination. The regulator and the World Health Organisation have already said the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh any potential risks, and no cases of clotting have been linked directly to the vaccine. The all-clear from today’s verdict will allow countries to continue the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which accounts for over two-thirds of Ireland’s stock – which is reportedly about 77,000 doses. 30,000 healthcare workers and high-risk people between 16-69 were due to receive the vaccine last week before it was paused.

Source: Irish Independent March 18, 2021 09:00 UTC