Benefits of AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh the risk of side effects according to EMA

The benefits of the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine outweigh the risk of side effects, according to the European Medicines Agency.

Europe's health regulator says 'at present' there is no indication vaccination has caused the blood clot issues that have led to a number of countries suspending its use.

However, the EMA is continuing to review the situation with an update due on Thursday.

Executive Director of the EMA, Emer Cooke says in the meantime the benefit/risk remains positive: "So while the investigation is ongoing...we are still firmly convinced that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing COVID-19, with its associated risk of hospitalisation death outweigh the risk of these side effects."