Saudi Arabia did not suspend AstraZeneca vaccine, says health ministry

Questions regarding the vaccine’s safety in European countries caused some countries to put its use on hold

A nurse administers a Covid-19 vaccine at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Riyadh. AFP

A nurse checks the temperature of a man before administering a dose of Covid-19 vaccine at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre in the Saudi Arabian capital. AFP

A nurse prepares a dose of Covid-19 vaccine at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Saudi Arabia's capital city of Riyadh. AFP

People register for vaccination at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre, before receiving a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh. AFP

Saudis are greeted by a health worker as they enter the coronavirus vaccination centre at the Jeddah old airport in Saudi Arabia. AP Photo

People gather outside the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre before receiving a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in Riyadh. AFP

People leave the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre after receiving a dose of vaccine against Covid-19, in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh. AFP

The AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is safe, Saudi Arabia’s Health Ministry said on Sunday, countering rumours that its use in the kingdom had stopped.

Assistant Minister of Health Dr Mohammed Al Abdulaali spoke after several countries in Europe suspended use of the drug after reports it could cause blood clots.

More than 2.1 million people have been immunised with several approved drugs at 500 medical centres in the kingdom, he said.

Also on Sunday, AstraZeneca said that a review of its data found no evidence that the vaccine caused blood clots.

In “a careful review of all available safety data of more than 17 million people vaccinated in the European Union and UK with Covid-19 vaccine, AstraZeneca has shown no evidence of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism, deep-vein thrombosis or thrombocytopenia” in either sex or any specific age group, country or batch, the company said.

Authorities in Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and the Netherlands suspended the use of the vaccine citing clotting concerns, while Austria stopped using a batch of AstraZeneca shots last week while investigating a death from a coagulation disorder.

Dr Abdulaali said he believes the vaccine’s suspension in Europe was a precautionary measure.

Saudi Arabia registered 348 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, bringing the total to 382,407, and four new deaths.