NEW DELHI: India’s health ministry on Monday said that a government panel on AEFI (adverse events following immunisation) has found 26 potential cases of bleeding and clotting after administration of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
The health ministry’s report described the risk as “minuscule” out of the 164 million doses administered. This is the first time India has reported any serious reaction to the use of the vaccine, branded locally as Covishield.
India’s adverse events committee reviewed 498 instances of serious and severe side effects following the injection of the shot. “26 of which were potentially “thromboembolic” – meaning the formation of a clot in a blood vessel that might break loose and plug another vessel,” it added.
“Bleeding and clotting cases following COVID vaccination in India are minuscule and in-line with the expected number of diagnoses of these conditions,” the ministry said in a statement.
It further said that the vaccine continues to have a definite positive benefit risk profile with tremendous potential to prevent infections and reduce deaths due to COVID-19. The ministry did not give details on the nature of the clots.
Some countries have suspended or restricted use of the shot over fears of possible side effects, though health experts have said its benefits outweigh the risks.
