Several countries globally have suspended the use of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine over blood clotting fears. A handful of cases of bleeding, blood clots and low platelet counts have arisen within the 45 million doses of various vaccines given in the EU and its near neighbours. Germany reported seven cases, of which three died, out of 1.6 million people who received the AstraZeneca vaccine. It remains unclear if there is a direct link to the shots. At the height of suspensions, around 22 nations, including 12 EU members, suspended use of the vaccine. Countries are now <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/europe/europe-to-resume-use-of-astrazeneca-vaccine-after-eu-regulator-declares-it-safe-and-effective-1.1187035">removing their suspensions after the European Medicines Agency recommended</a> the use of the vaccine after its own investigation. The WHO has said the vaccine is safe for use and experts told <em>The National</em> they <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/science/astrazeneca-vaccine-experts-cast-doubt-on-blood-clot-claims-and-predict-suspensions-to-lift-soon-1.1184715">expected the suspensions to be lifted soon</a>. Thailand, whose Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha received the AstraZeneca vaccine, moved to allow its use after the delay of the shot's distribution was lifted. "We do not want people to panic and we would, for the time being, recommend that countries continue vaccinating with AstraZeneca," WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said Monday. Here are the nations that once suspended use of the vaccine. 1. Sweden 2. Latvia 3. France 4. Germany 5. Italy 6. Spain 7. Luxembourg 8. Cyprus 9. Portugal 10. Venezuela 11. Slovenia 12. Indonesia 13. The Netherlands 14. Ireland 15. Bulgaria 16. The Democratic Republic of the Congo 17. Lithuania 18. Romania 19. Iceland 20. Denmark 21. Norway 22. Austria
