BPOM Postpones Use of AstraZeneca Vaccines over Safety Concerns

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) recommends against the use of the AstraZeneca vaccines before the safety review of the British-Swedish vaccine is complete. Fifteen countries worldwide eventually suspended the use of the vaccine after a safety concern had emerged.

“As a precaution measure, BPOM along with the team of experts from the national commissions of drug assessors, PP KIPI, and ITAGI, are making further assessments following the safety concern,” said BPOM chairperson Penny Lukito in her statement on Wednesday, March 17. “As long as this process is ongoing, the use of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is not recommended.”

Citing Antara News, the safety concern involves the two fatal cases of blood clotting that happened in Austria and Denmark after two people had allegedly received the vaccine from certain specific batches produced by the British-Swedish pharmaceutical firm. 

Even though the Covid-19 vaccine batches in question (ABV5300, ABV3025, and ABV2856) were not imported to Indonesia, the BPOM along with the rest of the experts have decided that it is safer to postpone its use. 

BPOM continues to communicate with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other state authorities that are conducting the safety review. Penny Lukito said the emergency use authorization has not been revoked for AstraZeneca vaccines as she explained that there is no definitive reason to do so. 

Read: AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine Under Investigation, Safety Review

ANTARA