Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine

Friday 09 April 2021

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has issued advice to the government on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, following reports of extremely rare blood clots in a very small number of people

This is a fast-moving situation but it’s important to remember that vaccines continue to be best way to protect people from COVID-19 and have already saved thousands of lives. Our message is that everyone should continue to get their vaccination when asked to do so, unless specifically advised otherwise.

By 31 March 20.2 million doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca had been given in the UK meaning the overall risk of these blood clots is approximately 4 people in a million who receive the vaccine.

For anyone who has already received their first dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine, regardless of your age or underlying health condition, the advice is to continue to get your second dose. The second dose will be important for longer lasting protection against COVID-19.
For anyone over 30, who has not received their first Astra Zeneca vaccine dose, the advice is to get your vaccine as planned and keep your appointment if you have been given one.
Anyone under 30 – without an underlying health condition – who has not been vaccinated yet – will be offered an alternative vaccine via PCN sites.
People may make an informed choice to receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to receive earlier protection – this may be appropriate for people such as carers, health and social workers and other front line staff who are at an increased risk of exposure and/or to reduce the risk of passing the virus on to vulnerable individuals.
For anyone under 30 – with an underlying health condition – who has not yet had a first vaccine will be offered an alternative vaccine.

There is a Public Health England leaflet available here https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/…