a rare risk of thrombosis exists, confirms the French Medicines Agency

The Medicines Agency (ANSM) confirmed, Friday, March 26, the existence of a risk “rare” of atypical thrombosis associated with AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine, after the occurrence of new cases in France, while emphasizing that the benefit / risk balance remained “favorable”.

“Nine cases of thrombosis of the large veins, atypical by their location (mostly cerebral, but also digestive), which may be associated with thrombocytopenia [diminution du nombre de plaquettes dans le sang] or coagulation disorders have been reported “, six more than the previous week, indicates the ANSM in its latest update on the surveillance of vaccines against Covid-19.

Among these cases, “two deaths” were reported between March 12 and 18, including that of a Nantes medical student who died on March 18 several days after being vaccinated, for which additional analyzes are underway as part of a judicial investigation.

These cases have occurred “within a median of 8.5 days after vaccination in people with no particular history identified to date”, she adds, adding that seven patients were under 55 years old, and two, over 55 years old.

France lifted the AstraZeneca vaccine suspension on February 19, after an opinion from the European Medicines Agency deeming it “safe and efficient” and affirming that its benefit / risk balance in the face of the Covid-19 epidemic was positive. The Haute Autorité de santé, however, recommended that it be reserved for people aged 55 and over.