Oxford pauses trial of its vaccine in children over blood clot fears
The University of Oxford has paused a trial in children and teenagers of the Covid-19 vaccine it developed amid fears the jab could be linked to rare blood clots.
A spokesperson said the move was a precaution and that none of the young people involved in the trial have had health issues.
They said: ‘Whilst there are no safety concerns in the paediatric clinical trial, we await additional information from the MHRA on its review of rare cases of thrombosis/thrombocytopaenia that have been reported in adults, before giving any further vaccinations in the trial.
‘Parents and children should continue to attend all scheduled visits and can contact the trial sites if they have any questions.’
The trial is looking at whether the vaccine is effective in producing an immune response in children aged from six to 17. It has been running since February.
Last night, it was reported that UK regulator the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) was considering proposals to restrict the use of the Oxford AstaZeneca vaccine in younger people.
They are expected to announce the results of a review in the coming days.
On Friday, the organisation said it had identified 30 cases of rare blood clot events – with seven deaths – out of 18.1 million doses of the AstraZeneca jab administered up to and including March 24 in the UK.
They included 22 reports of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) – which stops blood draining from the brain properly – and eight of other thrombosis events with low platelets.
Boris Johnson defended the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine today as he visited the pharmaceutical giant’s manufacturing plant in Macclesfield.
He said: ‘The best thing people should do is look at what the MHRA say, our independent regulator – that’s why we have them, that’s why they are independent.
‘Their advice to people is to keep going out there, get your jab, get your second jab.’
MHRA chief executive Dr June Raine said previously: ‘People should continue to get their vaccine when invited to do so.
‘Our thorough and detailed review is ongoing into reports of very rare and specific types of blood clots with low platelets following the Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.
‘No decision has yet been made on any regulatory action.’
Earlier today, a senior official from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) claimed there is a link between the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine and blood clots.
Speaking to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, Marco Cavaleri, head of the vaccine strategy at the EMA, said it was ‘clear there is a link with the vaccine’, although the cause is still unclear.
He said the risk of cerebral thrombosis, blood clotting in the brain, was higher among younger people, compared to the general population.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said today that it had ‘not yet reached a conclusion and the review is currently ongoing’, saying that they expected to announce findings tomorrow or Thursday.
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