10 European countries suspend Covishield jab over reports of blood clot

At least 10 European countries have so far suspended the use of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Denmark, Norway and Iceland halted the use of the vaccine, known as Covishield in India, citing reports of serious cases of blood clots among people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Following the suit, Austria, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Luxemburg suspended the use of vaccines from a particular batch, which was sent to 17 European countries and consisted of one million jabs.

Meanwhile, Thailand on March 12 delayed its roll-out of the AstraZeneca vaccine over blood clot fears. "Though the quality of AstraZeneca is good, some countries have asked for a delay. We will delay (as well)," said Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, an advisor for the country's COVID-19 vaccine committee, in a press conference.

Denmark, the first to announce it was suspending the jab, said that the move was precautionary. "It has not been determined, at the time being, that there is a link between the vaccine and the blood clots," the country's Health Authority said.