Significant AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccinations in Vietnam with Minimal Blood Clot Concerns
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Amid rising concerns regarding potential side effects of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, Vietnamese health officials have reassured the public that tens of millions of doses have been administered in the country with only a few reported cases of blood clot-related reactions post-vaccination.
Phạm Quang Thái, Head of the Northern Vaccination Office at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, emphasized the importance of understanding the issue to prevent unnecessary panic. Thái highlighted that upon the introduction of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Vietnam, the healthcare sector exercised extreme caution due to previous reports of blood clots in Europe. Rigorous screening measures were implemented during the vaccination campaign to mitigate risks.
Thái noted that incidents of blood clots were primarily observed within 28 days post-vaccination. Currently, Việt Nam has temporarily halted the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations as the pandemic situation is under control. Data reveals a very low rate of adverse reactions following the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, and the European Medicines Agency found the difference in the incidence of blood clots before and after vaccination to be statistically insignificant.
In addition, Thái emphasized that European communities naturally have a higher incidence of blood clots compared to Asian communities. He urged vaccinated individuals not to worry, stressing that the health benefits of vaccination far outweigh any risks in the fight against COVID-19.
Assoc. Prof. Lương Ngọc Khuê, Director of the Ministry of Health’s Department of Medical Service Administration, confirmed that blood clot issues were among the side effects Vietnamese authorities were alerted to during the rollout of AstraZeneca shots. He highlighted the initial cautious approach of mandatory blood pressure measurements before and after vaccination, which was later relaxed as no serious health impacts were observed.
Khuê reassured the public that the majority of individuals had received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for several years without significant adverse effects leading to blood clots. Moreover, Vietnam has achieved remarkable COVID-19 vaccination coverage rates, administering over 266.5 million doses by mid-2023, including AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, and Sinopharm vaccines.
Vietnam boasts one of the highest COVID-19 vaccine coverage rates globally, with nearly 100% primary vaccination coverage for individuals aged 12 and older and 89.6% of at-risk adults receiving four doses, comprising primary courses and booster shots.
As of early 2024, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology reported just over 400,000 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine remaining in storage, with an expiration date in September 2024, demonstrating Vietnam’s ongoing commitment to immunization efforts.
