European countries were divided in their responses to concerns about the AstraZeneca vaccine, with Germany and Poland continuing to use the jab, while Bulgaria joined the ranks of those who have temporarily stopped using it.
German Health Minister Jens Spahn, criticized the suspension of the use of AstraZeneca vaccine doses in some countries, saying that "the benefit is far greater than the risk."
Denmark and several other European nations had earlier suspended use of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine, after reports of severe cases of blood clots in people who had received it.
After consulting experts at the European Medicines Agency (EMA), Spahn said he could confidently state there was no noticeable accumulation of thrombosis cases in connection with the vaccination.
The EMA said on Thursday that there is "no indication" at present that vaccination with the shot has caused these conditions, and that in the agency's view, any benefits outweigh the risks.
The EU medicines regulator said its experts are reviewing 30 officially reported cases of thromboembolic events and "will further communicate as the assessment progresses."
On Friday, the EMA updated its guidance to say that the AstraZeneca vaccine can cause an allergic reaction in very rare cases.
In Britain, 41 out of about 5 million people had an allergic reaction after receiving the shot, it said. "In at least some of these cases," there was likely a link to the vaccine, according to the EMA.
A European Commission spokesperson in Brussels backed the EMA's stance on thrombosis cases on Friday, but noted that vaccination policy ultimately remains at the discretion of EU member states.