Astrazeneca vaccine side effects in Germany

The vaccination campaign against Kovid-19, which began in Germany on December 27, 2020, is not moving as fast as expected, even as the Ministry of Health maintains its goal of offering ‘ination vaccination to all citizens by the end of summer’ . The AstraZeneca vaccine was expected to speed up the process in February, but recent incidents involving the vaccine, which were initially approved only in Germany for people under 65, were one for the federal government. Is the new challenge. The introduction of a new preventive ban forced Germany to revise its vaccination campaign, so that 56 million doses of it were delivered this year could be used.

AstraZeneca vaccine is not recommended for people under 60 years of age

On March 30, 2021, following the occurrence of rare cases of thrombosis identified after administration of the Kostid-19 vaccine of the AstraZeneca group, announced the Standing Committee on Immunization (STIKO), relying on the Robert Couch Institute (RKI). It recommended this vaccine only for people over 60 years of age. The federal government and Lander considered the opinion the next day, although there was still no evidence that the vaccine was at the core of the presence of these coagulation disorders, specifying the institution. Paul Ehrlich (PEI), German medicine. And vaccine regulators.

The decision marks the end of many dysfunctions, as the official AstraZeneca vaccine was administered in the European region on January 30, 2021 and used in Germany since early February, which was halted for several days in mid-March. , Re-authorized after a new investigation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and STIKO. Following warnings from several hospitals, some municipalities, such as Berlin and Munich, and some districts, however, anticipated the March 31 decision by suspending it as a preventive measure.

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A recommendation in the interest of the German people

On 8 April, although the EMA again advocated its unrestricted use as benefits reduce the risk, STIKO decided to uphold its recommendation.

As chairman of the commission, Thomas Mertens clarified during an interview with radio RBB, EMA, PEI and STIKO evaluations are not contradictory to each other, as no one disputed the fact that the AstraZeneca vaccine can cause serious side effects, even death in very rare cases. But these three bodies do not exercise the same responsibility, as the EMA is concerned with issuing an authority at the European level, while the purpose of STIKO is to regulate the use of vaccines in the interests of the German population. While many European countries rely almost entirely on the AstraZeneca vaccine, Germany has many products. In the absence of the European Institute “Which can develop and implement a general recommendation for all European countries“It is up to each country to examine the utility of the vaccine according to its own data,” he concludes.

Therefore Germany has decided to rely on the principle of maximum certainty, the foundation of belief in vaccination. Said on 31 March it derives from the words of Angela Merkel: “This confidence comes from the certainty that we will look at each suspected case, each individual case“Between closing one eye and taking these matters seriously, this is the second option that allows you to instill maximum confidence, even if the Chancellor does not regret it”Remove uncertainties“. Health Minister Jens Spahn confirms on the same day that German citizens can ensure that there are approved vaccines in Germany.”Carefully checked“.

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Identification of side effects in Germany

In Germany, 42 suspected cases of cerebral venous thrombosis were reported to PEI 4 to 16 days after administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine. In 23 cases, they were accompanied by thrombocytopenia (platelet deficiency). In 8 cases, the result was fatal.

The latest PEI safety report, published on 9 April, mentions a total of 31,149 suspected cases of side effects and complications identified after vaccination against Kovid-19 with three products between December 27, 2020 and April 2, 2021: Germany Available for. BioNTech Laboratory, modern and new name of AstraZeneca, Comirnati of Waxzevia.

According to RKI data, more than 14 million vaccinations have been performed, including about 11 million with Comirnati and about 3 million with Waxaveria. Reported suspected cases are approximately 2.2 cases and serious reactions are 0.2. The ratio of thrombosis of the brain with thrombocytopenia is thus 1 case per 100,000 vaccinations.

Seven cases of cerebral thrombosis were also reported after vaccination with comarinati, but without thrombocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia vaccinated people with comiranati (17 cases) as well as vaxxevia (64 cases including 3 deaths).

Cerebral thrombosis and thrombocytopenia are not the only serious side effects reported by PEI, which also identify anaphylactic reactions and other thromboses, arterioles (myocardial infarction, cerebral ischemia) or venous (phulbitis, pulmonary embolism).

Vaccination Campaign Impact

If these incidents represent a setback in the vaccination schedule, the Health Minister believes it is possible to reverse the trend by increasing the pace for people over 60 who will be able to benefit from increased supplies . Furthermore, the age limit is not an injunction: STIKO actually specifies that those under 60 should, at their request, be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine at the doctor’s office. “After thorough explanation and acceptance of risk“Regarding the administration of the second dose to those who have already received the first dose of AstraZeneca, if STIKO recommends the use of a messenger RNA vaccine, Lander’s health ministers currently postpone their decision. Is done.

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