The decision comes after five cases of blood clots and lower blood platelets in the Netherlands were reported to Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb.

“The EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) is currently investigating this possible side-effect. The results of the investigation are expected on Wednesday, 7 April. A new assessment about the use of AstraZeneca will be made at that time,” the Ministry said.

The scheduled vaccinations with AstraZeneca for people born in 1960 or before can go ahead as planned.

In March 2021, a number of countries, including Germany, France, Spain and Italy, paused use of the vaccine out of fears it may be implicated in cases of blood clotting observed in vaccine recipients.