But recently, blood clots and abnormal bleeding in a small number of vaccine recipients in European countries have cast doubt on its safety, although no causative link has been found between the patients’ conditions and the vaccine. The reports have prompted more than a dozen countries to either partly or fully suspend the vaccine’s use while the cases are investigated. Most of the nations said they were doing so as a precaution until leading health agencies could review the cases. The AstraZeneca vaccine has not been authorized for use yet in the United States, although a review of its U.S. trial is expected soon. Most developed clots or bleeding abnormalities and had low platelet counts, health authorities there said.

Source: New York Times March 16, 2021 00:30 UTC