The WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety’s (GACVS) COVID-19 subcommittee has looked into the reports of rare cases of blood clots with low platelet counts after vaccination with the AstraZeneca jab.

During a meeting held on April 7, 2021, the subcommittee reviewed the most recent information from the European Medicines Agency as well as from the UK’s Medicines and other Health products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and other Member States. The subcommittee noted that on the basis of latest information, a causal link between the vaccine and blood clots with low platelet counts seems plausible but is not confirmed. It stated that specialized studies are required to completely understand the relationship between the vaccine and possible risk factors. Though concerning, the events are very rare, with low numbers reported among around 200 million vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine worldwide… (WHO, April 7, 2021)