An update on what's happening with the AstraZeneca vaccine in Europe and Canada.

[speak easy]

First things first. Although the Astra vaccine has been submitted for FDA approval, Dr Fauci doubts it will be distributed in the U.S. It is simply not needed.

My general feeling is that given the contractual relationships that we have with a number of companies, that we have enough vaccine to fulfill all of our needs without invoking AstraZeneca.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/01/fauci-says-us-may-not-need-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-.html

Secondly, popular reports talk about the risk of blood clots. That is misleading. There is an extremely rare form of thrombosis called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), where clotting forms in the sinuses that drain blood from the brain. A practitioner might go through his career without seeing a case. What is extraordinary about the incidents following 4-10 days after a Astra vaccine shot is the patients also have a very low platelet counts - and platelets are the body's agent for initiating blood clots.

CVST is extremely serious. About a third of patients die.

Many millions have been vaccinated with AZD1222. Something like 100 cases of CVST have been found so far. What the authorities are trying to do is identify the risk factors so an appropriate warning can go out with the vaccine. That is what the suspensions are about. Contraindications are commonplace in the distribution of pharmaceuticals. It's pretty unremarkable stuff.

Finally, there have been no reports (at all) of CVST associated with the Pfizer/Moderna/J&J vaccines - which is another reason suspicion has fallen on AZD1222.

[dalton99a]

1. Adding AstraZeneca to the mix in the U.S. would taint the reputation of the other vaccines

It would be a dumb mistake

[speak easy]

2. It is the least effective, with the most complications.

Contraindicated as medicos would say.

[SWBTATTReg]

3. I don't understand the reluctance of letting this vaccine be a choice in America too? Why not?

The more the better?

[dalton99a]

4. Officials don't want "Vaccine Causes Dangerous Blood Clot" to complicate the vaccination drive

AstraZeneca has a perception problem

[SWBTATTReg]

5. You're right, people would get distracted by this, although I think any remedy/etc. has some risk

associated w/ it, however minor. Like you say, it's better to project a low as risk possible to entice others to get the shot(s), but personally, I think that if 600,000+- people have already died from Covid 19, that there's enough inducement to get the shot(s) already. Take care!

[LisaL]

7. Clots have developed in younger people who presumably would be at very low risk of dying from covid.

NT

[SWBTATTReg]

9. Did not know this...thanks, saw this after my last posting...nt

[LisaL]

6. Some European countries suspended its use because of blood clots.

Harm would be causing those rare blood clots in people who take it.

[SWBTATTReg]

8. I know that and both the patient and doctor should be very aware of the risks upfront. How does

one ID someone w/ a high blood clot factor already? They usually are ID'ed already, being that they probably had a history of blood clots, etc., and are on special medications already (blood thinners), and thus, there are warnings already out there on the risks associated w/ each vaccine. Isn't there? Makes logical sense.

[LisaL]

10. As far as I can tell, people affected don't necessarily have a history of blood clots.

The leading theory appears to be that clots are caused by a rare immune reaction. Why these people develop this reaction to Astrazeneca is unclear at the moment.