The World Health Organization has advised countries not to stop using the AstraZeneca Covid-19vaccine. A number of countries had recently suspended the use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine over fears that it caused blood clots. The BBC reports that WHO spokeswoman, Margaret Harris told a briefing on Friday there was no link between the AstraZenica shot and developing a clot.

The latest country to suspend use of the vaccine was Bulgaria. Denmark, Iceland and Norway as well as Thailand, Italy and Austria have stopped using certain batches of the drug.

Countries in Europe have reported about 30 cases of “thromboembolic events” (blood clots having developed) after having been administered the vaccine. Further, a 50-year-old man in Italy died after he developed deep vein thrombosis following him having taken the AstraZeneca shot.

Meanwhile, other countries, including the UK, Germany, Australia and Mexico, have indicated they will continue their rollout. Germany’s Health Minister Jens Spahn disagreed with the countries who had suspended the vaccinations, saying, , “From what we know so far, the benefit… is far greater than the risk.”

meanwhile, the BBC reports that the vaccine suspensions were a hinderance for Europe’s inoculation campaign which had not had a smooth start in the first place, due to delays in delivery.

Despite it having been developed within months, AstraZeneca said the drug’s safety had been studied ‘extensively’ in clinical trials. While the WHO says it’s investigating the reports, around 5 million Europeans have already received the AstraZeneca jab.

Umm Muhammed Umar