At least 12 EU states have suspended use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine due to concerns about a possible link between the vaccine and blood clots.
The WHO, EMA, MHRA and AstraZeneca have said there is no evidence of a link between the vaccine and clots.
The 'precautionary principle' anticipatory action to avoid potential harm, even when the evidence around that harm is uncertain
The arrival of effective vaccines against COVID-19 has been one of the few good news stories of the pandemic. However, communicating the safety of vaccines has long been difficult, as shown by most countries having some level of vaccine hesitancy, including hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines specifically.