Coronavirus Vaccine Linked to Two New Clotting Incidents in Greece

Two blood clotting incidents which have occurred in Greece recently are linked to the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, the National Organisation for Medicines (EOF) announced on Friday.

Overall, there have been three recent major blood clotting incidents in Greece, but it is unclear if the third was caused by AstraZeneca inoculation.

AstraZeneca cause of blood clotting

The first blood clotting incident involving the AstraZeneca vaccine was also extremely unique. A 35-year-old man from Ierapetra on Crete suffered not one, but two blood clots following his vaccine against the coronavirus.

This is reportedly not only the only time an individual has gotten a double blood clot from the vaccine in Greece, but also the rest of Europe. He was hospitalized after suffering the first blood clot in his leg only a few days after receiving the jab, and while he was in hospital a second clot was discovered in a blood vessel that leads to the brain. Thankfully, his life is reportedly out of danger.

Another person on Crete has unfortunately has a blood clot which is likely linked to the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine. A 44-year-old woman was in serious condition at the island’s General University Hospital of Iraklio with a rare but severe type of blood clot (vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia, or VITT). This incident is the second that has been found to be linked to the vaccine by the EOF.

There has also been a third blood clotting incident, also being treated in the General University Hospital of Iraklio, whose causes are so far unclear. Authorities are still investigating the case of a 47-year-old woman who reportedly became paralyzed after receiving the vaccine.

EMA: Vaccine benefits outweigh risks

The drug regulatory authority of the EU, the European Medicines Agency, released the results of its intensive investigation into the safety of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in April, saying its benefits still outweighed any potential risk of blood clot formation.

The drug regulator admitted that it found a “possible link” between the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine and a rare clotting disorder but EMA officials refused to impose any new age restrictions, saying the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine still outweigh risks.

The EMA described the clots which have occurred as “very rare” side effects. It said most of the cases reported have occurred in women under 60, and within two weeks of vaccination.

However, based on the currently available evidence, it was not able to identify specific risk factors.

Members of the Greek National Committee of Vaccinations added that they are working with the Greek Pharmaceutical Organization to continuously monitor the safety of vaccines, following and reviewing any instances of possible side effects of Covid-19 vaccines.