Africa CDC reviewing use of AstraZeneca vaccine

By Grace Kuria

The Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC) is reviewing its guidance on the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine after several countries suspended its use amid concerns about blood clots.

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – JANUARY 28: John Nkengasong, director of African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, holds a press conference on coronavirus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on January 28, 2020. (Photo by Minasse Wondimu Hailu/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Speaking with Bloomberg TV on Tuesday, Africa CDC Director John Nkengasong said “The AstraZeneca vaccine was seen to be safe and efficacious and we would need to review the data. We should guide the response with strong science and evidence,”

Nkengasong further said, “The Africa CDC will be convening an emergency meeting this afternoon with all the experts across the continent to look at the data and what we know, and then to provide appropriate guidance to the continent.”

Sweden is as of Tuesday the latest country to suspend the AstraZeneca vaccine.

(With input from Bloomberg)