No cause for alarm over AstraZeneca vaccine withdrawal - Expert

SHAH ALAM – Despite the distribution of more than 5.7 million doses of the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine in Malaysia, there is no need for public alarm regarding its side effects following the recent global withdrawal of the Covid-19 vaccine by the company.

Universiti Putra Malaysia Public Health Medicine expert Professor Dr Malina Osman said the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company took this action because the AZ vaccine is no longer effective against the new variants of Covid-19, which are constantly evolving and mutating.

Dr Malina stressed that the decision to discontinue production and withdraw the AZ vaccine from the market is primarily aimed at enhancing the vaccine to keep pace with the latest developments in Covid-19 virus strains.

She clarified that the withdrawal of the vaccine was not primarily prompted by severe side effects experienced by recipients.

"This issue is akin to other medicines and vaccines because, from a clinical study perspective, AZ has already disclosed information about potential side effects, including rare severe cases.

"I acknowledge that some AZ vaccine recipients have encountered unavoidable complications, as is the case with common medications, similar to those experienced after taking painkillers and fever medicine," she said.

A recent report by British newspaper Telegraph revealed that the decision to withdraw the vaccine was made after the company acknowledged in court documents that the vaccine could lead to rare and dangerous side effects.

In documents submitted to the High Court in London in February, AZ admitted that its Covid-19 vaccine 'could, in very rare cases, cause TTS or thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, which is blood clotting and low blood platelet count.'

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad assured last Friday that the government would provide follow-up treatment for Covid-19 vaccine recipients, including those who received the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine, if they experience any proven side effects.

Meanwhile, Dr Malina said that Malaysians should not be overly concerned about this issue.

She said that the AZ vaccine was safe when it was produced and distributed globally during the Covid-19

"However, due to ongoing changes and virus mutations, the current AZ vaccine is no longer effective against the latest strains.

"Therefore, individuals who have received the AZ vaccine should not be overly concerned because any complications or side effects from the injection typically manifest within one to three weeks.

"If symptoms persist beyond a month or extend beyond six weeks, they are unlikely to be attributed to the side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine injection," she added.