AstraZeneca vaccine: Where does the world stand on suspensions?

Several countries have paused or limited use of the shot amid concern over reports of rare blood clots in recipients.

Some countries are restricting the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 while others have pressed ahead with inoculations as investigations into reports of rare, and sometimes severe, blood clots continue. The European Union’s medicines regulator – the European Medicines Agency (EMA) – and the World Health Organization (WHO) have said the benefits of the shot outweigh its potential risks, but they are monitoring the situation as more cases are reported. On March 31, EMA chief Emer Cooke said there was “no evidence” yet that would support restricting the use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine in any population despite the reports of rare blood clots.