AstraZeneca suspensions: What you should know, in 500 words

Which countries have stopped using the vaccine? Why? Is the vaccine safe? Three key questioned answered.

Several countries, mostly European, have temporarily suspended the use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine over fears it may have caused some recipients to develop blood clots. The measures come despite assurances from the British-Swedish multinational, EU regulator the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) that the jab is safe. The WHO’s Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety is reviewing available data and is meeting with the EMA on Tuesday.