AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Linked to Rare Blood Disorder Capillary Leak Syndrome, EMA Adds New Warning

June 13 (Chinanews) -- According to a Reuters report on the 12th, the European Medicines Agency recently listed another rare blood disorder -- capillary leak syndrome (CLS) -- as a potential side effect of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

According to reports, the safety committee of the European Medicines Agency stated on the 11th that AstraZeneca must list this side effect on the product label. The committee also recommended that individuals who have previously experienced swelling and a drop in blood pressure due to CLS should not receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The European Medicines Agency began investigating these cases in April. The Committee reviewed six cases of CLS, predominantly involving female patients who had received the AstraZeneca vaccine, one of whom died; three others had a history of CLS.

The report noted that the latest recommendations from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have plunged AstraZeneca into a deeper predicament. Previously, multiple countries had reported cases of fatal thrombosis following administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine, sparking widespread concern. On April 7, the EMA announced that thrombosis accompanied by a low platelet count should be classified as a rare side effect of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Several European countries have also recommended exercising caution when administering the vaccine to certain population groups.

According to Reuters, to date, EU countries, Iceland, Norway, and the UK, among others, have administered over 78 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.