15 cases of blood clotting have be found in Brits recently given their second dose of the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine up until May 12th, according to the U.K.’s medicines regulator. The occurrence rate is around one in 600,000 (nine million have been given two doses of the AZ vaccine to date) – though this could increase as younger people are given their second doses of the vaccine, given that people below the age of 40 are more likely to suffer from clotting after the first dose. The MailOnline has the story.
Scientists told MailOnline it was “disappointing” the extremely rare complication was becoming more frequent in double-jabbed patients. The clots – which can occur in the brain – are happening alongside abnormally low platelet levels, known as thrombocytopenia.
But the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said symptoms were “milder” and less frequent than after the first dose.
As of May 12th, the MHRA had spotted 294 cases of the clots in Britons given an initial injection, affecting about one in 80,000. The conditions were found to be occurring more frequently in young people, which has led to the British jab being restricted for use in under-40s.
Scientists believe in some people, the immune system sees the vaccine as a threat and over-produces antibodies to fight it. These lead to the formation of clumps in the bloodstream, which can become deadly if the clots move towards vital organs and cut off supply.
Around 15 million people are still waiting on their second AstraZeneca vaccine, with millions of eligible under-40s yet to be fully inoculated.
The current guidance says younger people who had their first dose before the jab was restricted should come forward for their second.
Department of Health bosses do not provide data on vaccine take-up by age, making it impossible to say how many younger adults are booked in for their top-up.
Professor Paul Hunter, an expert in medicine at the University of East Anglia, said it was “disappointing” there had been more clotting cases after the second dose.
But he highlighted that they were even less common than a first dose and less severe, urging people to continue to come for their second.
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