Temporary suspension of vaccination with COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine

Following the decision of several EU Member States, including France and Germany, to temporarily suspend vaccination with AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, Luxembourg has decided to align itself with this decision.

This is a precautionary measure, pending the outcome of tests by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) into a number of blood problems that have occurred in people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Vaccinations with AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine will be suspended in Luxembourg until the assessment of the EMA's safety committee (PRAC) is completed. Today's decision concerns both initial and follow-up vaccinations. The EMA's assessment is expected later this week.

It should be noted that in a press release issued by the EMA today, the EMA opines that the benefits of AstraZeneca's vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 outweigh the risks of side effects.

Link to the EMA press release: EMA's safety committee continues investigation of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca and thromboembolic events – further update | European Medicines Agency (europa.eu).

Press release by the Ministry of State / Ministry of Health