Japan Approves AstraZeneca's COVID Vaccine, But Puts Use on Hold Amid Blood Clot Concern

Along with the approval of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, Japan’s regulatory authority has also approved AstraZeneca Plc’s AZN COVID-19 vaccine, Vaxzevria for adults.
According to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, Japan’s health ministry plans not to use the AstraZeneca vaccine in public inoculation programs for the time being, even after the approval.
The ministry plans to create guidelines for treating blood-clot cases reported overseas. It will also analyze overseas data to set a recommended age limit for the vaccine carefully.
As Japan has already secured enough of the Pfizer Inc PFE - BioNTech SE BNTX and Moderna Inc MRNA vaccines to cover people aged 16 or older, the health ministry said it would continue to review whether to make the AstraZeneca shot eligible for state-funded inoculations, reported Nikkei Asia.
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