PH temporarily suspends AstraZeneca vaccine for under 60

The Philippines has temporarily suspended the use of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine for individuals under 60 years old as a precautionary measure due to rare reports of blood clots with low platelet counts overseas, primarily observed in women under 60.

FDA chief Eric Domingo stated that the suspension does not mean the vaccine is unsafe or ineffective, and updated guidelines are expected next week.

Domingo explained that individuals above 60 stand to benefit the most from vaccination, as they are at the highest risk for severe COVID-19.

AstraZeneca has committed to cooperating with the FDA and will include a label warning of the rare side effect.

Presidential adviser Joey Concepcion criticized the suspension as exaggerated, noting the low global incidence of blood clots and the lack of similar age restrictions in many other countries.

Concepcion also pointed out that with over 500,000 AstraZeneca doses already administered in the Philippines, any significant adverse events should have been detected.

The DOH confirmed that no cases of blood clots with low platelets have been reported among those who received the AstraZeneca vaccine in the Philippines.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire announced that the Philippines currently has zero stocks of AstraZeneca, as all donated doses have been administered.