POST Online Media Lite Edition



 

Romania and Thailand suspends AstraZeneca vaccine, Germany and France not worried

Christian Fernsby |
The Romanian health authorities decided late Thursday to temporarily quarantine over 4,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, coming from the same batch suspended in Italy, but to continue the vaccination with the serum from the other batches.

Article continues below




The batch involved is ABV 2856, announced the National Coordinating Committee for COVID-19 Vaccination Activities (CNCAV) in a statement, adding that Romania received 81,600 doses of the batch on Feb. 7, and more than 77,000 doses have been used so far.

The suspension decision was made at a meeting late in the day, which was attended by the representatives of CNCAV, the National Institute of Public Health, the Health Ministry, as well as the National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices.

The remaining 4,317 doses of the vaccines in question will be sealed until the European Medicines Agency completes its evaluation, said the official statement, adding that "the vaccination will continue with all other batches of AstraZeneca vaccines currently in Romania ... so that the immunization process is not affected."

The decision to quarantine the batch was made as "an extreme precautionary measure," solely on the basis of the event reported in Italy, the statement said.

According to international reports, the Italian Medicines Agency on Thursday banned the use of the ABV 2856 batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to "serious adverse events" after inoculation.

The statement also said that Romania was not among the 17 EU countries that received the doses of the ABV 5300 batch, suspended over blood clot fears by several other member states of the European Union.

Romania added 5,236 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the highest daily infection count since Jan. 6 this year, bringing the country's total caseload to 845,352.

The authorities hope to alleviate the pandemic by stepping up its vaccination campaign that started on Dec. 27, 2020.

So far, 2,019,757 doses have been administered to 1,336,827 people, among whom 653,897 people have received the first dose and 682,930 others have got the second dose as well.

Thailand announced Friday to temporarily halt the roll-out of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination after some European nations suspended the use of the vaccine due to concerns of blood clotting.

"It is not certain whether the blood clot symptom is directly related to the AstraZeneca vaccine. The vaccine is good, but for the safety of the Thai people, we decide to suspend the use of the vaccine until further evaluation," Kiattiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Public Health told a news conference.

"The vaccines supplied to Thailand were not the same batch as in Europe, but made in Asia," Yong said.

Thailand launched its national inoculation program on Feb. 28, using vaccines developed by China's Sinovac. It has ordered Sinovac vaccines with the first doses having arrived on Feb. 24. The country also received AstraZeneca vaccine on the same day.

Thailand has so far confirmed more than 26,600 COVID-19 cases and 85 deaths.

French Health Minister Olivier Veran on Thursday said AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine will not be suspended in France after some European countries decided to temporarily stop using the vaccine following reports of cases of blood clots.

"At this point, neither Europe, nor France, nor Germany consider that there is a proven excess risk," said Veran. He told reporters that French drug safety agency, in line with its European Union counterpart, did not notice any reason to halt injections with the vaccine.

"The benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine are higher than the risks," he said. "We are looking systematically at each declared case of undesired serious side-effects... Each case is analysed for a link of causality with the vaccination, which so far has not been formally identified."

Earlier in the day, health authorities in Denmark, Norway and Iceland suspended the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine following reports of the formation of blood clots in some recently vaccinated people.

In early March, France allowed people younger than 75 and with comorbidities to get the AstraZeneca shot, which initially targeted those under 65.

So far, 4.54 million French citizens have got a first vaccine jab and 1.26 million have received the two doses. Some 286,000 people were vaccinated on Thursday, marking "a record" since the country launched its vaccination campaign in late December 2020, according to the minister.

At a weekly briefing on the epidemic situation, Veran warned "the situation is tense and worrying" with an average of 20,000 cases per day and the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units (ICU) accounts for 80 percent of France's resuscitation beds.

In the greater Paris region, the coronavirus indicators were "particularly worrying" with an inhabitant admitted to ICU every 12 minutes. A total of 1,080 patients have been put on ventilator in Ile-de-France's hospitals, with the figure could rise to 1,500 by the end of March, he added.

Veran said that if COVID-19 continues to circulate at its current level, the government would take "the all necessary measures" to put the virus under control.

On Thursday, France confirmed 27,166 new coronavirus infections, pushing the total count to 3.99 million. The country's death toll rose by 265 in one day to 89,830.


What to read next

New vaccine to provide 2-year protection
Finnish researchers introduce nasal COVID vaccine
Italy follows France, Germany in giving OK to AstraZeneca vaccine for elderly

U.S.: Heavy precipitation and, strong winds

 
Several inches of rain has fallen over multiple days across the Pacific Northwest which has resulted in scattered areas of flooding.
 
 

Latest

Biden's job approval rating at low 37 percent
Extremely rare whisky comes to Sotheby's New York auction
Exports of Russian fish products rises by 13% over 11 months
First fourth generation nuclear plant in world begins commercial operations in China

NEWS

World's first AI designed law passed in Brazil

EU: 11 olive oil counterfeiters arrested following Operation OPSON
Mint shop for counterfeit euro coins dismantled in Italy
U.S. announces visa bans on Jewish West Bank settlers
Brazil launches action to crack down on billion dollar soybean smuggling
Badgers slow down train service in Netherlands
 

BUSINESS

Santa Barbara, Ca. to unveil battery energy storage system

San Francisco, Ca. expands e-bike food delivery initiative
Greater Manchester strikes historic deal with Osaka on opening day of Japan mission
Baltimore, Md. Mayor Scott signs bill requiring procurement of 100% zero emissions vehicles for administrative fleet
New York City Mayor Adams launches lithium-ion battery-charging pilot for delivery workers
EU ports rebounding from pandemic disruptions
 

Trending Now

Moscow residents to name baby panda born in Moscow Zoo

Brazil launches action to crack down on billion dollar soybean smuggling

New study suggests salty immune cells surrounding brain linked to hypertension induced dementia

Bulgaria permits licensed crop imports from Ukraine


POLITICS

Up to €1.2 billion of state aid approved for european cloud, edge computing technologies

Hungary PM Orban says it's myth that member states cannot prosper without EU funding
Poland seeks return of EU permits for Ukrainian haulers but Brussels opposes that
New York Governor Hochul announces start of project to modernize Ogdensburg International Airport
President Lula in Berlin for first talks between Brazil and Germany in eight years
Greece cut coal use by over 80%
 

Today We Recommend

U.S. announces visa bans on Jewish West Bank settlers


Highlights 

Alaska Airlines to acquire Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 billion

Roche to acquire Carmot Therapeutics for $2.7 billion

Huge cantaloupes recall after U.S. Salmonella outbreak


COMPANIES

Lzzy Hale first female artist to have Kramer signature guitar, only 300 to be made

Focused Sun announces two new solar energy solutions in New Mexico
Novadip Biosciences announced significant clinical milestones for both of its clinical stage programs
Siemens and Intel collaborate to advance sustainability in microelectronics manufacturing
TotalEnergies signs investment agreement for largest wind energy project in Kazakhstan
Eni secures €3 billion sustainability linked revolving credit line
 

CAREERS

Boeing appoints Henok Teferra Shawl as managing director for Africa

Siemens Healthineers: Vivek Kanade new head for Middle East and Africa operations
Liquid Intelligent Technologies appoints Lerato Dipuo Phueginia Pule as CFO
PwC selects Mohamed Kande as next global chair
Billerud appoints Ivar Vatne as CEO
New Pacific Metals appoints two to board
 

ECONOMY

Australia's economic growth slowed to 0.2 percent Q3

Half of new jobs in South Korea created for elderly in 2022
Moody's downgrades China's credit outlook
West Virginia yearly revenue collections $286.2 million ahead of estimate
Austrian economy slips into recession
Ireland in recession as personal consumer spending increased
 

EARNINGS

J. M. Smucker Q2 income grew 2 percent

AutoZone Q1 income increased to $593.5 million
Dell Technologies revenue $22.3 billion
American Outdoor Brands Q2 sales $57.9 million
Marvell Technology Q3 revenue $1.419 billion
BMO Financial Q4 income $1,617 million
 

OP-ED

Micromanaging is the worst enemy of efficiency and teamwork

Niger set to monetize massive gas reserves through Saharan natural gas pipeline
Putting the brakes on EV folly that choked the market
Oil discovery in Kavango Basin may mean huge benefits for Namibians
Cape Town and Dubai battle over Africa's energy future
Is America going to lose its superpower status?
 

AGRIFISH

Cote d'Ivoire expects decline in cocoa production

Weak Norwegian krone triggers strong value growth for November seafood exports
Russia bans fruits, vegetable imports from Moldova
Bulgaria permits licensed crop imports from Ukraine
France puts country on high alert for bird flu
Kentucky names new Deputy State Veterinarian
 

LEADERSHIP

Happy workforce is productive workforce, says study

LinkedIn can trigger feelings of imposter syndrome
Study suggests corporate culture thwarts efforts to hire innovative candidates
Workplace wellness policies could soften effects of workaholism
Customers willing to wait longer for delivery when they shop in store showroom
Internal crowdfunding fosters innovation and engages employees
 

CRIME

Swiss bank Banque Pictet admits to conspiring with U.S. taxpayers to hide assets and income in offshore accounts

FINRA fines BofA Securities $24 million for treasuries spoofing and related supervisory failures
BNP Paribas subsidiary fined maximum amount over Swiss franc loans
Commission fines Rabobank €26.6 million over Euro-denominated bonds trading cartel
Shell Energy fined £1.4m by Ofcom for consumer protection breaches
Italy's antitrust agency fines energy companies for aggressive billing
 

Magazine

TRAVEL

Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival returns to Hong Kong until Janury 14

Go on a sleigh ride in Estonia Varbola stronghold
Bora Bora, first born paradise in French Polynesia
Mushrooms of all kinds will be featured at Autumn Bio Festival in Portugal
Festive winter fun in and around Hannover
Premier Australian motoring event returns this weekend
 

SEA, LAND, AIR

Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban come with new look

Chinese HiPhi revealed electric sedan, too bad it can't be trusted
New 2025 Ram 1500, Hurricane 3L and 420 horsepower
Gulfstream G700 business jet to fly 14,353 kilometers
Beneteau First, slender mainsail and generously sized foresails
Porsche launches speedboat with 400 kW
 

DESIGN

Hollywood Regency, the style that's always in

Filippo Loreti, premium Italian timepieces for adventurous gentlemen
Creative furniture that redefines the meaning of sofa
Perfect ovens for perfect pizza at home
Designer radiators, focal point that heats your room
What to do and what not to do when designing your living room
 

GADGETS

Rode NT1 5th Generation, the ultimate studio microphone

Motorola g family smartphones bring something for everyone
Focal Shape 65 monitor, loudspeakers for home or professional studio
NAD C 268 stereo power amplifier, multipurpose workhorse
DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/Reference, €90,000 for ultimate sound
Motorola razr, foldable phone that allows you to live your real life
 

HEALTH

New study suggests salty immune cells surrounding brain linked to hypertension induced dementia

Researchers crack cellular code on protein folding offering hope for many new therapeutic avenues
Huge cantaloupes recall after U.S. Salmonella outbreak
Pathogens use force to breach immune defenses
Governor Moore announces expanded access to contraceptive care across Maryland
California Governor Newsom announces new legislation to prevent illicit use and trafficking of xylazine
 

MEANTIME

Beijing launches its first satellite from South China Sea

Australia choose Roo-ver for first moon rover's name
France to donate € 500 million to Brazil's Amazon Fund
New deep space radar will transform UK security
Massive planet too big for its sun pushes astronomers to rethink exoplanet formation
Vera Rubin telescope will generate mind boggling amount of data