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Finland continues to shun AstraZeneca vaccine for under 65

Published : 15 Apr 2021, 01:12

Updated : 15 Apr 2021, 08:58

DF Report

Officials of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea) at a press conference described the situation of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine use in the country on Wednesday. Photo: Finnish government by Fanni Uusitalo.

Finland on Wednesday decided to continue not to use AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for people of less than 65 years of age due to unusual blood-clotting, said the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in a press release.

The THL on Wednesday said the European Medicines Agency (EMA) considers the very rare blood-clotting problems found among the vaccinated people in Europe might have possible link to AstraZeneca vaccine.

The THL made the decision following recommendations by the National Vaccination Expert Group (KRAR) on Tuesday.

“Vaccinating (AstraZeneca vaccine) will be continued among people aged 65 years and older, as no increased risk of the very rare blood-clotting problems was found among them after vaccination,” said THL Chief Physician Hanna Nohynek.

The authority also decided not to use AstraZeneca vaccine for people of 65 years and above having various complications, such as a history of cerebral venous thrombosis (sinus thrombosis) or various platelet deficiencies (HITs) associated with heparin-associated thrombocytopenia as a precautionary measure.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) on 7 April confirmed a possible link between AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine and the occurrence of blood clots, which it said should be still listed as very rare side effects - about one in 100,000 in Europe.

Three cases of blood-clotting were reported in Finland after receiving AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine within two weeks of vaccinations and one of them died.

All of them were bellow 65, said the THL, adding that so far about 250,000 people have received coronavirus vaccine in Finland.

The authority is also considering alternative vaccines for the second dose for under 65-year-old people who already have received the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine.

Earlier, on 19 March, Finland temporarily suspended the use of AstraZeneca vaccine after two cases of unusual blood-clotting in the brain had been reported following the use of AstraZeneca vaccine.

Later, on 24 March, Finland decided to resume the use of AstraZeneca vaccine but only for people aged more than 65.