UK says under-40s should be offered alternative to AstraZeneca vaccine

LONDON: British officials said on Friday people under 40 should be offered an alternative to Oxford/AstraZeneca's COVID-19 shot where possible due to a small risk of blood clots, given the low number of cases and the availability of other shots.

AstraZeneca's COVID-19 shot, developed by Oxford University, has resulted in reports of rare blood clots with low platelet levels that occur more commonly in younger adults. Some countries have advised the shot be given only to older people. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)said the advice reflected low levels of COVID-19 infection in Britain and the availability of other vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna.