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Available for over a year

The Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine is not being offered to people under 40 in the UK and a number of countries around the world because of the risk of rare blood clots. Earlier this year, reports began of a rare but serious condition involving blood clots and unusual bleeding after the first AstraZeneca vaccination, which led to life changing effects and even death for some patients. Dr Sue Pavord is joint-author of the report, a consultant haematologist at Oxford University Hospitals and chair of the UK Haematology panel looking at the risks of blood clots from the vaccine. She says that age-restrictions around the vaccine should be considered, although the causes and risk factors are still not clear. She also describes how the research has led to changes in the treatment for blood clots, that include plasma exchange, where someone's plasma is replaced, and blood thinners. Photo: Illustration of blood clot blocking the red blood cells stream within an artery or vein Credit: Getty Images