Corona aktuell: When do I have to see a doctor after the AstraZeneca vaccination?

Vaccinated with AstraZeneca?
Corona aktuell: If you have these symptoms, you should see a doctor

by Stephanie Pingel

March 16, 2021, 11:30 a.m.

The vaccination disaster is complete: After several countries had already suspended vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine, Germany also stopped vaccinations with the preparation yesterday afternoon. There had previously been reports that the vaccine could cause cerebral vein thrombosis. Last week, the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) saw no connection between the vaccinations and the blood clots. The PEI has now revoked this assessment and advised the federal government to stop the vaccinations.

Three out of seven thrombosis cases are fatal

The institute is currently speaking of seven cases in Germany in which there was thrombosis of the cerebral veins in a temporal connection to the vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine. Three of these cases were fatal. "We have a new situation due to new investigations, but also new reports," said institute president Klaus Cichutek on Monday evening in the Daily Topics at the ARD this step.

What to do if I have been vaccinated with AstraZeneca

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), around 1.65 million people in Germany have been vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. Compared to the crowd, the serious side effects occurred very rarely. A queasy feeling should remain with those who have been vaccinated so far. Whether a visit to the doctor is necessary mainly depends on how long it was since the vaccination: If it was more than 16 days ago without persistent complaints, according to PEI Institute President Cichutek, those affected no longer have anything to fear: "I can give the all-clear here."

In the days before, vaccinated people should pay close attention to their symptoms: Especially those who feel very unwell for more than four days after the vaccination, have persistent headaches or suffer from punctiform skin bleeding should see a doctor immediately.

What is the risk of serious side effects?

According to PEI, the cerebral vein thromboses that have occurred are very rare. The RKI also shares this assessment: The risk of dying from Covid-19 is higher than the risk of getting a thrombosis from vaccination with AstraZeneca and dying from it, like the RKI epidemiologist Dirk Brockmann loudly WDR said.

The European Medicines Agency, EMA, said it would re-evaluate AstraZeneca's vaccine next Thursday. Cichutek, on the other hand, assumes that the analysis of the causes will continue this week. The PEI experts are part of the EMA bodies. In general, however, the institute's president also considers the review to be sensible: "I think it is a good signal for those willing to vaccinate in this country that we are vigilant, that we are paying close attention and that we analyze even the smallest signals before they do Vaccinations just go on. "

Swell: WDR, topics of the day