Europe Finds Rare Possible New Side Effect in AstraZeneca Vaccine

IMMUNIZATION. Syringes and a vial of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca / EFE

The European Union’s drug regulator on Wednesday released documents showing a possible rare side effect of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine that can develop a nerve disorder known as Guillain Barré syndrome.

The context: The European Medicines Agency presented the warning in its update after finding a relationship between the syndrome and 833 cases in 593 million doses spread throughout the continent until July 31.

• Despite the announcement of the warning, the agency indicated that the side effect is “very rare”
• In Guillain Barré syndrome the body attacks itself and damages its nerves.

And now that…?: Europe could put a momentary pause in the distribution of the vaccine if warranted. The event already occurred last March, when the Old Continent’s medical regulator found unusual results of the development of blood clots.

• A forthcoming communication from the European Union on the use of the vaccine is expected.
• In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration also issued the same warning with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Main source of the news: The Hill