The concern that is gaining in Europe about the AstraZeneca vaccine has not crossed the Channel.
About twenty countries, including France, have suspended its use, as a precaution, after the reporting of "possible" side effects, but without a proven link at this stage, such as serious blood problems (difficulty in coagulating or formation of clots) ... The United Kingdom, where nearly 25 million people in total have received at least one injection of vaccine, including 11 million that of AstraZeneca, which was designed in the country, intends to continue its momentum.
"We have one of the strictest and most experienced regulators in the world and he sees no reason to stop using this vaccine," said Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The British, for their part, were not impressed by European precautions either.
“It doesn't worry me at all.
When it is my turn to receive this vaccine, I will go with great pleasure!
Says Mike, a cook from North London.
"I had my first injection of AstraZeneca and I had no problem," says Briand, a sexagenarian, the newsboy cap pulled down on his forehead.
“European countries will regret having suspended the use of this serum.
This will delay the fight against the virus and the end of containment, ”he predicts.
"Nothing serious enough has come up"
Common disorders with AstraZeneca injections reported by the UK government boil down to pain in the arm, feeling tired, headache, nausea and vomiting.
“There is a control system here called Yellow Card, overseen by the MHRA, the national drug regulatory agency.
It allows everyone to report unwanted effects, explains Professor Colin Harwood, a specialist in molecular microbiology.
As far as the AstraZeneca is concerned, nothing serious enough has come up that would justify questioning its use.
"
According to data from the British-Swedish laboratory, as of March 8, only fifteen cases of deep vein thrombosis and twenty-two cases of pulmonary embolism were observed among the more than 17 million people who received the serum from the pharmaceutical giant in the European Union and UK.
"We are closely examining the reports, but the available evidence does not suggest that the vaccine is the cause (
Editor's note: reports that justified the suspension
)", commented for his part Dr. Phil Bryan, head of the vaccination department at the MHRA .
“Blood clots can occur naturally and are not uncommon.
The number of cases reported after receiving the injection is no greater than the number that would have occurred naturally in the vaccinated population.
The precautionary measures taken by certain European countries are therefore irrelevant to the British.
“The risks associated with Covid-19 are much greater than those associated with vaccines,” insists Professor Colin Harwood.
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Words that join those of the director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
"We still strongly believe that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing Covid-19, with its associated risk of hospitalization and death, outweigh the risk of these side effects," Emer Cooke said on Tuesday. March 16 in the afternoon, during a videoconference.