Founder of Thrombosis Australia says no evidence of link between AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots
Analysis of the data from the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine shows there is so far no evidence of an increased risk of DVT or pulmonary embolism from having the vaccine, according to Consultant Haematologist and Founder of Thrombosis Australia, Professor Ross Baker.
Professor Baker, who is also Chair of not-for-profit organisation Perth Blood Institute, says over 11 million AstraZeneca vaccines have been administered throughout the UK, with no increased number of blood clots being reported than would normally occur among the general population.
“When talking about people’s health we need to be cautious and not alarmist,” says Professor Baker.
“The European pause is to collect more information and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is in close contact with these regulatory agencies.
“The reality is that serious illnesses and life-threatening diseases, including deep vein thrombosis, occur every day in Australians without an obvious trigger, and whether having a Covid-19 vaccine is coincidental to this background rate is what further enquiry is examining.”
Professor Baker’s comments come in light of multiple European countries suspending the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, following reports that a small number of people who received it went on to form blood clots. His comments echo the advice from the blood clot experts – the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis’.
“My message from these recent events is for people to address any health warning symptoms with their GP prior to being vaccinated. A pre-vaccination health check-up is also advised if you have any concerns,” Professor Baker adds.
“The bottom line is that there is currently no convincing evidence that blood-clot related illnesses are happening more frequently than usual and there is no indication that the Covid-19 vaccine has caused these conditions.”
Thrombosis Australia was founded by Perth Blood Institute, a charitable, not-for-profit, haematological research institute. Based in West Perth, the organisation undertakes research into blood-related disorders, delivers blood-related clinical trials and provides an education service to the community and professionals on blood conditions.
