University of Oxford has paused a small UK trial testing the COVID-19 vaccine it developed with AstraZeneca Plc in children and teenagers.
Countries around the world have paused the administration of AstraZeneca vaccines as they await more data on rare blood clotting issues in adults who received the shot.
The trial disruption is the latest blow to the vaccine, once hailed as a milestone in the fight against the pandemic.
“There were no safety concerns in the pediatric trial,” Oxford University said, adding that it would await guidance from the UK drugs watchdog before giving any further vaccinations.
The university said in February it planned to enroll 300 volunteers aged 6-17 years, based in the United Kingdom, as part of this study.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is currently reviewing reports of 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.
A senior EMA official has said there is a clear association between the vaccine and CVST, though the direct cause of the clots is still unknown.
Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease doctor, told Reuters last week the United States may not need AstraZeneca’s vaccine, even if it wins regulatory approval.
WHO, which is closely studying the latest data on AstraZeneca’s vaccine alongside other regulators, said on Tuesday it expects to there will be no reason to change its assessment that the shot’s benefits outweigh any risks.
