AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine remains authorized for all populations, European Medicines Agency (EMA) has said.

"Misinformation is making the rounds today. This is the situation: Benefit/risk balance of AstraZeneca #Covid19 vaccine is positive and it remains authorized for all populations," the EMA said in a tweet on Sunday, 13 June.

But, its usage was resumed in April, after the EMA said its benefits outweighed any risks.

Cavaleri was also quoted by the newspaper advising the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine preferentially for the over-60s.

The European Union has approved AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for all populations aged 18 and above. However, both viral vector-based jabs have been marred by various reports of rare blood clots.

Asked by the newspaper whether it would be better to stop using AstraZeneca for all age groups, Cavaleri had said: "Yes, and it is an option that many countries, such as France and Germany, are considering in the light of the increased availability of mRNA vaccines."

"However, incidents were very rare after the first dose. It is true that there is less data on the second dose, but in the United Kingdom it (the vaccination programme) is going well," he added.

On 11 June, Italy restricted the use of AstraZeneca doses to those aged 60 years and above, after a teenager who had received the shot died from a rare form of blood clotting.

But, its usage was resumed in April, after the EMA said its benefits outweighed any risks.

(This story was published from a syndicated feed. Only the headline and picture has been edited by FIT)