MHRA and JCVI update regarding AstraZeneca Vaccine

As you may have seen in the media, there have been reports of an extremely rare adverse event of blood clots and low platelet count following the first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine in a small number of patients. 

After consideration by the MHRA and JCVI, amended guidance has been issued.

The JVCI now advises that it is preferable for adults under 30 years of age without underlying health conditions to be offered an alternative vaccine as a precautionary measure, if available.  Individuals may make an informed choice to receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to receive earlier protection. 

Therefore, as a precautionary measure, these patients will be offered an alternative vaccine (i.e., the Pfizer BioNTech), which should be made available shortly.  If an appointment is currently booked for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine, then this will be cancelled.

All other patients, including those under 30 who have already had an AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccination, are unaffected.  This means that this amended guidance is only likely to currently affect a small number of patients until we reach the stage where those under 30 years old, as a general cohort, are vaccinated later in the spring/summer.  

Published: Apr 10, 2021