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Clotting risk overhyped: studies show AstraZeneca safer than reported

Two new studies have found that the increased risk of blood clots associated with the AZ vaccine affected fewer than 3 in 1 million people.

Amber Schultz

Feb 23, 2022

The data is in: the risk of developing blood clots following the AstraZeneca vaccine was overhyped.

Two new UK-based studies released this morning found that the increased risk of rare blood clots associated with the vaccine affected just 0.9–3 in 1 million people, while blood clots in the brain affected one in 4 million people.

According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), across the 13.7 million doses of the vaccine administered in Australia, there were 172 cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), with 88 of these cases confirmed to be linked to the vaccine.

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About the Author

Amber Schultz

Associate Editor @AmberMaySchultz

Amber covers health and social affairs for Crikey. She has been shortlisted for two Young Walkley Awards, was the 2021 Mumbrella Young Writer of the Year for her coverage of sexual violence, and in 2018 completed the Jacoby-Walkley scholarship. She holds two Master degrees and previously worked for The Age, Nine News and ABC's Tonightly.