STA, 15 March 2021 - Slovenia has decided to temporarily halt the use of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine pending a decision by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Health Minister Janez Poklukar said Monday the Slovenian expert group for vaccines had not found reasonable grounds to stop using the jab.
Nevertheless, as a matter of precaution it is proposed that vaccination be suspended.
All those scheduled to receive the vaccine in the coming days will be rescheduled, whereas vaccination with the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will continue as planned, he said.
The decision comes after several European countries, including Germany, France and Italy, have decided to halt the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine amidst reports of blood clots.
This is despite evidence that blood clots are no more likely among those that have received the vaccine than among the general population.
The EMA has announced a special meeting for Thursday to decide on further actions over the AstraZeneca jab, according to media reports, even as it stressed that the benefits of the jab outweighed the risks..
