STOCKHOLM, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Sweden has paused the use of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine because of potential new and more serious side effects, the country's Public Health Agency announced on Tuesday.
Several countries have already suspended using the vaccine following reports it may be linked to blood clots and cerebral hemorrhaging, but state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said the Swedish decision was made following reports in the last few days regarding previously unknown potential adverse effects.
These include blood clots in combination with low levels of platelets that have been observed in a few younger individuals following vaccination. Tegnell told Swedish Television that between 10 and 15 such cases had been reported by other European countries.
"It is not the same as the previously reported blood clots. This is more serious," he said regarding the new reports that emerged as late as Friday.
"It is a fairly serious side effect and among people who seem to be a little younger. So far it has not been revealed that they have any underlying conditions," he said, adding that the suspected adverse effects were observed within two weeks after the vaccine was administered.
"The decision is a precautionary measure," Tegnell said. "There is good knowledge about the vaccine, but it is still important that we now pause the vaccinations until the European Medicines Agency has investigated whether these events may be related to vaccination."
Vaccine coordinator Richard Bergstrom told Swedish Television that he believed the pause would be brief.
"It may just last for a few days, as I believe the European Medicines Agency will decide on Thursday. Hopefully, this pause will be short-lived," Bergstrom said.