The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has addressed concerns over the safety of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine in Ghana, following the global withdrawal of the vaccine by the pharmaceutical company due to a rare side effect.
AstraZeneca recently acknowledged the occurrence of a rare adverse effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), prompting the worldwide withdrawal of the vaccine.
However, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) clarified that the withdrawal is for commercial reasons and reassured the public not to panic.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, the FDA reported that it had investigated reported adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) and found no cases of thrombosis with TTS among the 4,149 reported cases.
As of the end of March 2024, 10,545,038 people in Ghana had received the AstraZeneca vaccine, the statement added.
The FDA has assured the public of its ongoing vigilance in monitoring the safety of all vaccines used in Ghana, including COVID-19 vaccines, through its Safety Monitoring Department and its Technical Advisory Committee on the Safety of Vaccines and Biological Products.
The FDA also emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety, effectiveness, and high quality of all regulated products, including vaccines.