Finland temporarily suspends AstraZeneca vaccinations

Finland announced on Friday the temporary suspension of AstraZeneca vaccinations.

The Nordic country made this decision while most European countries moved in the opposite direction, after a report from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said that the vaccine developed by the British-Swedish company Astrazeneca and the University of Oxford is safe.

The Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) issued a statement on Friday in which it announced that its decision to suspend the use of the injection is due to two cases of cerebral venous thrombosis reported within 4 to 10 days of the administration of the vaccine.

"Both patients had medical risk factors associated with vascular thrombosis and patient studies are still ongoing," the health agency said.

However, "in accordance with the precautionary principle," THL decided to suspend the administration of the AstraZeneca jab until further information is available and the existence of a possible causal relationship can be assessed.

The suspension takes effect immediately and will last at least until Monday 29 March, when a report on the results of the investigation is expected.

To those already vaccinated

THL advised people who have received the AstraZeneca jab to watch out for "abnormally severe symptoms" that may not begin until more than three days after the vaccination.

The agency recommends seeking treatment "immediately" for those experiencing severe, noticeably worsening headaches or very severe bruising of the skin or mucous membranes.

Unlike neighboring Sweden and Norway, Finland had so far not stopped vaccines with AstraZeneca. Sweden and Norway said on Friday they are awaiting further data before reauthorizing the jab.

Vaccinations with other jabs will continue normally in Finland.