New AstraZeneca setbacks as countries scramble for vaccines

The fallout over the AstraZeneca jab persisted on April 8 with several countries halting its use among younger people, as nations raced to secure much-needed vaccines in the face of fresh virus surges.

Europe's medicines regulator said this week the AstraZeneca vaccine could cause very rare blood clots among some recipients, prompting a cascade of countries to pull the plug on giving it to people under a certain age.

Britain sought on April 8 to quell fears over the jab, saying the potential side effects were extremely rare - and the risk of getting seriously sick from COVID-19 was far greater.

The furore over the jab comes as a number of countries battle mounting caseloads and deaths, more than a year into the pandemic that has killed almost 2.9 million people worldwide and ravaged the global economy.

Germany sparked controversy on April 8 after launching talks with Russia about purchasing doses of its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine without waiting for coordinated EU action.

Health Minister Jens Spahn said the EU had decided it will not sign contracts for Sputnik.

"So I said we will hold talks with Russia," he admitted as Germany needs more vaccines quickly.

On the AstraZeneca front, the Netherlands and Portugal became the latest countries to restrict the use of the vaccine to older populations - mostly over 60 - joining a list that includes Australia, the Philippines, Italy, France, Germany, Spain and Canada that took the decision earlier.

"It has not been our practice to jump at shadows, it has not been our practice to take unnecessary precautions," Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said as he announced the measure.

"We've been taking the necessary precautions based on the best possible...

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