AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine 'possible' linked to rare blood clots, EU regulators say

COVID-19 vaccines made by AstraZeneca could cause a rare form of a blood clot in some who take the vaccine, European Medical Agency (EMA)  said Wednesday.

"Our conclusion is that these clotting disorders are very rare side effects of the vaccine," Sabine Straus, chair of the EMA’s assessment committee, said. She said that an immune response following vaccination is the “probable” cause of the clots, according to The Washington Post.

The EMA said that they believed taking the vaccine carries more benefits than risks and still urges people to take the vaccine.

"The risk of mortality from COVID is much greater than the risk of mortality from these side effects," Emer Cooke, the agency's executive director, said, according to The Epoch Times.

According to the EMA report, so far, mostly women under the age of 60 have gotten the side effect, and most cases have occurred within two weeks of getting their first shot.

The report also states people experiencing shortness of breath, leg swelling, chest pain, headaches or blurred vision after receiving the vaccine should seek medical help.

Recently, AstraZeneca announced they would begin testing its vaccines on those younger than18, including children.

However, with news of possible blood clots, the pharmaceutical company has paused the trials, according to The Wall Street Journal.