Astrazeneca vaccine suspended..... Not proven to be linked to the jab yet, but investigations are ongoing *title edited by GNHQ*

I think we are pissing into the wind here trying to get over to the doubters that the odds are strongly against the vaccine causing these cases of blood clots. It is almost certainly coincidence that they have happened when they did, because they are not happening then any more often than they do in the general population.

The human mind is very self-centred and inaccurate about risk asessment. It hears of an avalanche in a snow-infested country on the other side of the world, and immediately decides to cancel a skiing holiday somewhere completely different which never has an avalanche, but when it reads of a multiple motorway car crash killing several people it still fills up the petrol tank and sets off for the supermarket five minutes away. Most car accidents happen within a few miles of home.

Thanks Elegran and Baggs. That puts it all into perspective.

Though actually, here is what I saw:
*The UK has given over 10 million doses of both the Oxford and Pfizer vaccine.

Number of blood clot related events:

Oxford = 13

Pfizer = 15

These numbers are no higher than what is seen in the general population (no increased risk).*

Thanks, elegran. Just saw the same info on Twitter and was going to post it but no need as you've done it.

For those who don't/can't follow links, the BMJ's response includes (The bold highlighting is mine) :-

The EMA’s safety committee "is reviewing the issue but said that there was currently no indication that vaccination has caused these conditions, which are not listed as side effects. It said that the information available so far showed that the number of thromboembolic events in vaccinated people was no higher than that seen in the general population. It said that, as of 10 March, 30 cases of thromboembolic events had been reported among the five million people given the AstraZeneca vaccine in the European Economic Area."

Phil Bryan, vaccines safety lead for the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, said, “More than 11 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have now been administered across the UK. Reports of blood clots received so far are not greater than the number that would have occurred naturally in the vaccinated population. ” He added that the agency was keeping the issue under close review but that available evidence did not confirm that the vaccine was the cause.

4 out of how many? If it is out of 10, then yes I would be worried. If it is out of 10,000 then that is fine.

It is very difficult to ascertain which health events are associated with a particular vaccine and which would have happened anyway - ones which the same proportion of the population would normally experience as the proportion of those vaccinated with the AZ vaccine.

As a theoretical example (I have to state that or it will be all round the internet in 3 seconds that CoVid vaccines cause instability!!!!) it is pretty likely that some of those vaccinated will have tripped and had a fall within three weeks of the jab. If statistics showed the percentage to be twice that of people who have not had that vaccine, then it could be assumed there may well be a connection. If it was shown to be the same, then the vaccination had nothing to do with it.

Trisher posted "There is an article from the BMJ here www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n699
They state that instances of blood clotting in the vaccinated population is no higher than normal." If you are worried, then for goodness sake read it.

Thankyou Blossoming I'm alright now.

It is obviously only a handful of people who are affected, such as with certain medications. It'd be nothing new if someone had an adverse effect after any vaccination.

My INR could have been low at the time of the vaccination, I don't know. A low reading indicates that you're more prone to clotting, whereas a higher reading indicates a propensity to bleeding, so as you can appreciate the INR has to be within ratio to function as normal.

I have had my 1st vaccine but as I am already on blood thinners for a heart problem I am going to assume I am covered. Fingers crossed.

I must admit I’m a bit concerned.
I’ve had the AZ jab ( no side effects ) but won’t have the 2nd dose if these reports keep coming out.

Blood clotting IS associated with Covid my sister and her husband have both been hospitalized in the US with blood clots, it’s quite worrying they both had the jab but I don’t know which one. Both home and seem OK now

I was asking a medic friend about it, it’s common, Covid makes the blood sticky and blood thinners are used in most cases he sees. Maybe a reaction to vaccine if you have already had mild Covid or maybe just those that are predisposed to clots.

SpringyChicken

In any given week, some of the population will experience blood clots, whether they have had a vaccination or not. Given the mass vaccination program in hand, it’s to be expected therefore that some people will have a clot following a vaccination.

I just checked. You're right. Between 1 and 2 people in a 1000 have a blood clot every year.

I don't know how many people have had the AZ jab. Let's say 10 million. In the two or so months since it was rolled out, a number just over 1,500 people would have blood clots anyway.

I hope you’re feeling better now EV and I can understand why you are holding off the second dose for now.

I have the opposite problem, a risk of bleeding, and have been told the vaccine does not hold any special risks for me, apart from bleeding at the injection site. We’re all different, aren’t we?

There is a article from the BMJ here www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n699
They state that instances of blood clotting in the vaccinated population is no higher than normal.

Springychicken ?

Well said Callistemon and good info as usual Alegrias.

In any given week, some of the population will experience blood clots, whether they have had a vaccination or not. Given the mass vaccination program in hand, it’s to be expected therefore that some people will have a clot following a vaccination.

We're not differing EV. What I said was that there is no correlation so far between having the jab and having blood clots
There is, however, evidence that Covid itself could cause blood clots so, on balance, having a vaccination would be my preference.

Orlin has had five DVT episodes in his early adult life. Been on warfarin for forty years. Had the Astra Zeneca vaccine three weeks ago, no ill effects. Many of our friends in the same boat, all fine.
Nothing will stop us from having our second dose to facilitate the opening of our economy and our lives for the sake of our children and grandchildren.

Alegrias1

Lillie - in case there is any bleeding at the point of the injection. I was asked the same question when I had my flu jab and I was told its a standard question if you're having a jab. When I said yes they asked about my INR and my Warfarin dose.

I bled yesterday when having the 2nd jab although I am not on blood thinning medication. The nurse must have just caught a blood vessel. She pressed on it with a tissue for a couple of minutes and it stopped, didn't need a plaster.

EllanVannin

I beg to differ Alegrias.
There are always the odd few who do suffer adverse reactions to any medications especially vaccines.

We're not differing EV. What I said was that there is no correlation so far between having the jab and having blood clots. That's a true statement.

Lillie

Why is one of the questions they ask when giving the jab, are you on blood thinning meds?

That question is also asked when having the Pfizer jab.

Lillie - in case there is any bleeding at the point of the injection. I was asked the same question when I had my flu jab and I was told its a standard question if you're having a jab. When I said yes they asked about my INR and my Warfarin dose.

Why is one of the questions they ask when giving the jab, are you on blood thinning meds?