No brain blood clots reported with AZ Covid vaccine to date – HPRA

The EMA is expected to issue a decision on Wednesday on the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine following concerns over a small number of rare brain blood clotting incidents linked with low levels of blood platelets.

The medicines watchdog has confirmed that no brain blood clotting incidents have been reported following the administration of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine in Ireland to date.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), which monitors and reviews the safety and efficacy of drugs and medical products, confirmed that 16 blood clotting incidents had been reported in connection with the AstraZeneca vaccine to date but that none were of the “rare” brain type currently being investigated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).