WHO: AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine is safe

A World Health Organization body of experts on immunization said on Wednesday the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine was safe, a day after German health officials agreed to restrict its use in people under 60, amid fresh concern over unusual blood clots reported in a tiny number of those who received the shots.

"We are clear on is that the benefit risk assessment for the AstraZeneca vaccine, given the range of evidence on both efficacy, effectiveness, safety and quality manufacturing, that it still weighs very heavily in favour of the use of the vaccine," Dr Kate O'Brien, WHO's Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals said.

"It is a safe vaccine," she underlined.

The WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization was presenting findings from its regular meeting with a focus on the status of vaccines for COVID-19, Ebola and other diseases.