FDA reassures public of AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine safety in Ghana

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has moved to allay concerns over the safety of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine in Ghana, following the global withdrawal of the vaccine by the pharmaceutical giant due to a rare side effect.

AstraZeneca recently acknowledged the existence of an uncommon adverse effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), leading to the withdrawal of the vaccine worldwide.

However, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) clarified that the withdrawal is for commercial reasons and has reassured the public not to panic.

FDA, in a statement on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, stated that its outfit has investigated reported adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) and found no cases of thrombosis with TTS among the 4,149 reported cases.

As of the end of March 2024, 10,545,038 people in Ghana had received the AstraZeneca vaccine, it said.

The FDA has assured the public of its continued vigilance in monitoring the safety of all vaccines used in Ghana, including COVID-19 vaccines, through its Safety Monitoring Department and its Technical Advisory Committee on the Safety of Vaccines and Biological Products.

It has also assured the public of its commitment to ensuring the safety, effectiveness, and high quality of all regulated products, including vaccines.