WHO endorses Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine safe to use

The World Health Organisation (WHO), on Wednesday, disclosed in Geneva that the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid vaccine is safe to use.

WHO therefore endorsed that citizens should continue to use the AstraZeneca vaccine, to help curb the pandemic.

The global health regulator stated, “WHO considers that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its risks and recommends that vaccinations continue.”

The World Health Organisation said as certain nations in the European Union (EU) tentatively suspended the utilisation of the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine; it was a precautionary measure, due to subsequent reports that it caused blood clots.

According to a statement, WHO declared that the decision was based on reports of unusual blood coagulation disorders in people who had received the vaccine.

It further stated that other nations in the European Union after considering the same information took the decision to continue utilising the vaccine in their immunization programmes.

The statement read, “Vaccination against COVID-19 will not reduce illness or deaths from other causes. Thromboembolic events are known to occur frequently. Venous thromboembolism is the third most common cardiovascular disease globally.

“In extensive vaccination campaigns, it is routine for countries to signal potential adverse events following immunization.

“This does not necessarily mean that the events are linked to vaccination itself, but it is good practice to investigate them.

“It also shows that the surveillance system works and that effective controls are in place.”

As indicated by the statement, WHO was in regular contact with the European Medicines Agency and Regulators around the world for the most recent information on COVID-19 vaccine safety.

“The WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety is carefully assessing the latest available safety data for the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“Once that review is completed, WHO will immediately communicate the findings to the public.

“At this time, WHO considers that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its risks and recommends that vaccinations continue,” the statement added.