DOH: AstraZeneca vaccine suspension ‘may last for 2 weeks’
CNN Philippines — The decision to temporarily stop giving AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccines to Filipinos under the age of 60 may last for two weeks as local health authorities await recommendations from the World Health Organization.
According to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, local health experts will study the issue hounding the COVID-19 vaccine made by the British-Swedish firm.
In a virtual briefing, Vergeire stressed the decision was a “precautionary measure” only since the Philippines has yet to note a case of unusual blood clots with low platelet count.
The measure “may last for two weeks for us to have all of these recommendations,” she added.
RELATED: EU agency finds AstraZeneca vaccine can cause rare blood clots, as UK advises other shots for under-30s
READ: PH pauses use of AstraZeneca vaccine for those below 60 years old
If the WHO will provide a positive recommendation, Vergeire said the Philippine government will continue using AstraZeneca’s vaccines
