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

Latest news from The Telegraph

There is "no indication" the AstraZeneca vaccine has caused blood clot incidents, the director of the European Medical Agency (EMA) has said.

Emer Cooke, executive director of the EMA, said: "We are still firmly convinced that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing Covid-19, with its associated risk of hospitalisation and death, outweigh the risk of these side effects."

The number of thromboembolic cases seems to be no higher than that seen in the general population, she added.

An estimated 17m AstraZeneca vaccines have been administered across Europe.

Ms Cooke, also said there were similar reports about blood clots related to other coronavirus vaccines.

When asked at a press conference about reports of blood clots in relation to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, she said: "We are looking at adverse effects associated with all vaccines.

"At the moment the current focus, because of the reported instances in Europe, is of the AstraZeneca (vaccine) but we have looked at the background rates for all the vaccines currently in circulation and it looks like there are similar numbers coming in across the world."

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I have the opposite problem - symptomatic carrier of severe haemophilia B - a bleeder!

My friend and neighbour in Malaga rang me yesterday. She’s 85y and no signs of a jab yet there. Her friend is 88y and she hasn’t heard anything yet either.
?

Ellianne

So if as a Brit living abroad with a British passport and an NHS number, could you get yourself over to the UK for an AZ jab?

I couldn't do that Ellianne feels morally wrong. If I choose to live in France I should abide by their rules.

sodapop

Ellianne

So if as a Brit living abroad with a British passport and an NHS number, could you get yourself over to the UK for an AZ jab?

I couldn't do that Ellianne feels morally wrong. If I choose to live in France I should abide by their rules.

How impressive. Nice to read

Thank you sodapop. I was mentally picturing how one could get to Calais, then tunnel and arrive at a booking centre for jab all in a day or two. As you say, morally wrong, but if one had to wait a long time it might be tempting.

I think to put a little perspective on the issue it should be noted that around 3000 people per month in the UK suffer from some form of blood clots, based on that figure, with the massive vaccine rollout, it would be expected that a few of these would show up after having the vaccine.

garnet25

Firstly, I've had the AZ vaccine and I trust it implicitly. Secondly AZ are supplying their vaccine at cost price whilst the other companies are making a profit. Given that the 3rd world will be a huge market for and anti Coronavirus vaccine a very great deal of money is at stake. Lobbyists have been known to influence Governments.
The WHO and many other influential scientific bodies have declared the AZ vaccine safe please do not be put off having it by scaremongering.

I have wondered about this too garnet because I understand that the UK and AZ have committed to providing the vaccine either free or at this very low cost to third world countries. The cost of the AZ vaccine is only about £2 something as I understand it, whilst all all the other vaccines are far more expensive. The N
Moderna one, which Britain has ordered some of, comes in at about £30. The British government put up a huge amount of money towards the development of the AZ vaccine and if they sell it at such a low price, or give it away, it will certainly threaten those who have produced other vaccines possible profitability. Maybe this is why some are appearing to try to discredit it. Just a thought

You can't just turn up for a jab you have to be invited by your GP or by letter from NHS.

Sorry about typos, I pressed post by accident before I previewed.

Firecracker123

You can't just turn up for a jab you have to be invited by your GP or by letter from NHS.

I know that Firecracker.
Some expats are still registered with gps in the UK. Some have properties back here, so can give their UK address. It would be easy enough to go online to book and give your last address in the UK.

Ellianne
I hope they don’t live in Portugal because they’d have to do ten days quarantine first before they were admitted to the country. Mind you, it’s probably preferable to waiting till Lord knows when for a vaccine.

Firecracker123

You can't just turn up for a jab you have to be invited by your GP or by letter from NHS.

Anyone in England who is eligible for the vaccine (including anyone aged 55 or over) can book an appointment online using this link.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

It does say that you have to be registered with a GP in England though.

Anyway, more importantly I think it's amazing how the human body (and nature) manages to heal and cope with all sorts of onslaughts in terms of drugs and procedures. Less so with the onslaughts of covid.

maddyone that was my thinking! Christmas is a long way off!

Yes indeed.

On Sky News
Nicola Magrini director general of Italy’s medicine authority told its daily newspaper he believed the choice to suspend the AstraZeneca vaccine was political.
Could well be.

Maddyone sadly Italian friends believe the cheapness of the AZ means it’s an inferior vaccine!

BlueSky

Maddyone sadly Italian friends believe the cheapness of the AZ means it’s an inferior vaccine!

They must believe that the huge profits made by drugs companies somehow make the product better. A bit like face creams, if it comes in a fancy box and costs four times as much, it must be better.

I'm going to have to put a stop on my buying Estee Lauder revitalising cream at nearly £70 a pot!

So the EU politicians are withholding the vaccine on the basis that 1 in 1.5 million recipients MIGHT get a blood clot, which has yet to be an issue caused by the vaccine.

I'm no gambler, but I'm happy with those odds. You'd find the chances of dying in an accident on the way to the vaccine tent, would be higher.

Marine LePen's chances in the French Presidential Elections are looking better day by day...

I know its not really funny Ug but that did make me laugh!

Not the LePen post, I should be clear!!

It’s been reported that President Macron is going to begin proceedings against Astra Zeneca for not fulfilling all of France’s order of vaccines.

This whilst they have thousands and thousands of doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccine stored in warehouses?