Two cases of blood clotting disorder per a million vaccinated people set a precedent for suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the EU. In mid-March, several European countries decided to halt the rollout of the UK-made AstraZeneca vaccine following reports of serious complications, including fatalities. 37 people in the UK and the EU suffered thrombosis out of 17 million people who received the AstraZeneca shots. “This is much lower than would be expected to occur naturally in a general population of this size and is similar across other licensed COVID-19 vaccines,” AstraZeneca commented on such complications. Nevertheless, the EU authorities were alarmed even by these cases. 20 countries just hit the pause button as a precautionary measure, waiting for a verdict of healthcare experts. The European Medicines Agency, which is evaluating the safety of the drug, reported that examination of the vaccinated people did not reveal any direct connection between jabs by AstraZeneca and blood clotting. Moreover, the World Health Organization insists there are no weighty reasons for withdrawing this particular vaccine.
"As of today, there is no evidence that the incidents are caused by the vaccine and it is important that vaccination campaigns continue so that we can save lives and stem severe disease from the virus,” WTO spokesman Christian Lindmeier unveiled the official stance.
Downplaying safety concerns, health authorities are more worried that the British pharmaceutical company fails to meet its commitments on the vaccine production and deliveries. AstraZeneca is obliged to supply 180 million shots of the vaccine to the EU in Q2 2021. The company doubts that it will fulfill its commitments. Earlier, it revised the contract with the EU authorities for the delivery of 100 million shots in Q1 2021. The delivery volume was downgraded to 40 million doses.
Interestingly, AstraZeneca shares have been immune to the news. Meanwhile, they are trading with a muted dynamic compared to the stocks of other vaccine producers. Perhaps market participants have already priced in their fears about troubles with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
