Costa Rica to wait on European agency decision before starting AstraZeneca vaccines By Alvaro Murillo
FILE PHOTO: Outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in San Jose
SAN JOSE (Reuters) – Costa Rica will hold off using the first batch of AstraZeneca vaccines it is due to receive until the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announces its findings on reports of possible side-effects, Health Minister Daniel Salas said on Tuesday.
The EMA is currently reviewing reports of vaccine recipients developing an extremely rare brain blood clot known as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) after the AstraZeneca shots, and is expected to announce its findings on Wednesday or Thursday.
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Costa Rica is likely to extend its border restrictions, Health Minister Daniel Salas said Monday.
The country began denying entry to tourists and non-resident foreigners on March 19. That will continue to be enforced until May 15, though Salas indicated that it will likely take longer for Costa Rica to reopen its borders to arriving tourists.
“It is very likely that this will be extended [beyond May 15],” Salas said.
Citizens, residents and tourists are all still allowed to leave Costa Rica under the current measures. Tourists and residents (non-citizens) who leave will not be allowed to re-enter the country until further notice.