The Ministry of Health believes that any side effects from the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine (if they occur) will only happen within 28 days after administration, and individuals who have been vaccinated should not be overly anxious.
On the morning of May 3rd, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment, Luong Ngoc Khue, offered this advice after AstraZeneca acknowledged for the first time that its Covid-19 vaccine may cause blood clots in rare cases.
A vial of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine administered in Vietnam in 2021. (Photo: Huu Khoa).
According to Mr. Khue, most people who received the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine have been vaccinated for several years (during 2021-2022), and therefore, “there is no need to worry excessively about side effects leading to blood clots. Additionally, blood clots have been acknowledged as a potential side effect that Vietnam warned the public about during the vaccination campaign. The Ministry of Health has implemented a strict vaccination process, requiring individuals to have their blood pressure measured, undergo screening, and be closely monitored before, during, and after vaccination. The Ministry also advises vigilance, monitoring, early detection, and timely management of rare blood clotting events post-vaccination, such as severe headaches; abdominal pain, back pain; nausea and vomiting; and changes in vision…
Similarly, an expert from the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology stated that vaccines authorized for use undergo a very stringent review process. The rate of reported side effects after receiving the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is very low. In fact, Vietnam has administered tens of millions of doses of AstraZeneca, with only a few cases of post-vaccination reactions related to thrombosis reported, none of which were life-threatening.
“This is an extremely low rate”, the expert stated, adding that thrombosis only occurs within 28 days after vaccination. Currently, Vietnam has halted the rollout of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, and no additional adverse reactions have been reported since.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam purchased 30 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, along with several rounds of assistance. By mid-2023, the country had administered over 266.5 million doses, making it one of the countries with the highest vaccination coverage rates in the world. The Covid-19 vaccine has proven effective in preventing disease and complications caused by the nCoV virus, significantly reducing the rates of severe illness and mortality.
