WHO: AstraZeneca vaccine not linked to increase in clots

A World Health Organization expert committee on coronavirus vaccines has found no indication to show "an overall increase in clotting conditions" in those inoculated with the AstraZeneca jab, the U.N. agency's head said Friday.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the committee's review indicated the vaccine's “tremendous potential to prevent infections and reduce deaths.”

While he understood that people had concerns about the safety of the vaccine, Tedros said it was a matter of balancing the risk of taking the vaccine with the risk of the disease itself.

"In this case, there is no question," he insisted.

"COVID-19 is a deadly disease and the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine can prevent it. It's also important to remember that COVID-19 itself can cause blood clots and low platelets."

Similar to advice issued by the European Medicines Agency and governments across the continent this week, WHO said health officials and patients should be vigilant in monitoring any potential side effects from vaccines and report them.