WHO says benefits of AstraZeneca vaccine ‘far outweigh the risks’

Dr Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, said it was “routine to signal adverse events” but people should “have confidence” in the protection given by vaccines.

“The Covid-19 vaccination will not reduce death or illness from other causes,” he told a press briefing on Thursday.

“As of now we do not know whether some or all of the conditions have been caused by the vaccine or by other coincidental factors.

“At this point in time, the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine far outweigh its risk and its use should continue to save lives.”

It comes as more than a dozen countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Norway and Denmark have suspended use of the AstraZeneca jab pending further investigation into adverse side effects.

But Dr Siddartha Sakar Datta, regional adviser on vaccine-preventable diseases and immunisation with the WHO in Europe, said the effects of temporary vaccine suspension would “not be visible” immediately.

“The effect of this temporary phenomenon will not be visible in a day or two, we have to look into this very closely,” he said.

“However as the countries have made this decision to suspend, they will have to look into the length of this temporariness.

“If it goes quite broad, days or months… then I’m sure it will show its effect.”

Dr Datta added that vaccine rollout should not be “a race between countries”.

“It is understood and countries are making an effort to provide their population with the benefits of this vaccine,” he said.

“But it is not a race between countries. All countries… are running one race against the virus.”

“We have to keep that in mind when we try to put that whole big picture in place.”