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Johnson & Johnson to delay roll out to EU: What could this mean for Malta?
They released a statement.

GuideMeMalta

Johnson & Johnson have proactively paused their vaccine roll-out to the EU pending an investigation into rare blood clots that have been reported (and subsequently halted the roll out) in the US.

“We have been reviewing these cases with European health authorities,” the company said in a statement. “We have made the decision to proactively delay the rollout of our vaccine in Europe.”

Depending on what the European Union decides, Malta will follow suit with Superintendent of Public Health Prof. Charmaine Gauci saying in her Ask Charmaine interview with Times of Malta that the country would continue to follow advice and regulations issued by the EMA regarding what vaccines are permitted for inoculation.

In fact, the European Medicines Agency issued a statement on the matter saying that “EMA is investigating all the cases reported and will decide whether regulatory action is necessary. The Agency is working closely with the US FDA and other international regulators.” The agency also said it is “expediting this evaluation and currently expects to issue a recommendation next week. While its review is ongoing, EMA remains of the view that the benefits of the vaccine in preventing COVID-19 outweigh the risks of side effects.”

Just yesterday, it was reported that the distribution of the single-dose shot to EU member states had begun with the EU bloc expected to receive over 55 million doses. However, soon after, news also spread that the US’ FDA was recommending a “pause in the use of this vaccine” after rare blood clots were reported in six women who all took the vaccine between six and 13 days prior.

“Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare,” the FDA said in a statement together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “COVID-19 vaccine safety is a top priority for the federal government, and we take all reports of health problems following COVID-19 vaccination very seriously.” Johnson & Johnson said in a statement that “no clear causal relationship” has been identified between the jab and the development of blood clots, adding it is working closely to assess the data with regulators.

14th April 2021



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