Iraq's Kurdistan region sticks with AstraZeneca vaccine, reports no issues
Kurdish authorities say they will continue administering the vaccine following the European Union's conclusion that blood clots should be listed among "rare side effects" of the British-Swedish vaccine.
The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq will continue using the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 after the European Union concluded there is a small chance it could cause blood clots. The British-Swedish vaccine is being deployed in several Middle Eastern countries while some European and African states are restricting its use.
A KRG Health Ministry spokesperson said that there have been no major issues with the AstraZeneca vaccine in the semiautonomous Kurdistan Region and that its administration will continue.
“There have been no major side effects. No blood clotting,” Aso Hawezy told Al-Monitor. “The Kurdistan Region will continue using it and continue using the other types of vaccines as well.”
On Wednesday, the European Union’s European Medicines Agency said that “unusual blood clots with low blood platelets should be listed as very rare side effects” of the AstraZeneca vaccine following a study. However, the EU body does still recommend taking the vaccine.
