Pfizer responds to Brisbane clot case days after vaccine

The 40-year-old, who works as a police officer in a quarantine hotel, presented at a private hospital on Wednesday suffering clots, after being jabbed on Sunday.

It was later revealed the man had also recently undergone knee surgery, which is believed to be the more likely cause of the blood clots.

In a statement, Pfizer said they had conducted a “comprehensive assessment of ongoing aggregate safety data” for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, of which 200 million doses have been administered across the globe.

“(This has) provided no evidence to conclude that arterial or venous thromboembolic events (blood clots), with or without thrombocytopenia, are a risk associated with the use of our COVID-19 vaccine,” the company said.

“This safety database analysis included a review of all adverse events received for the vaccine through to March 27,2021.

“Pfizer considers that the benefit-risk profile of (the vaccine) in preventing COVID-19 remains positive.”

The Therapeutic Goods Administration and Queensland Health are investigating the case.

To date, Australia has recorded three cases of blood clotting linked to the AstraZeneva vaccine, which led the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation to change its guidance for people under 50, with a preference for Pfizer.

Queensland’s Deputy Premier Steven Miles said on Wednesday that medical authorities would look to see whether any possible link could be established, and what that would mean for the vaccine rollout.

“What people should be very confident in, though, is our medical authorities are keen to investigate any such incident and provide information and data nationally and internationally,” Mr Miles said.

A Department of Health spokesperson said they took all reports of adverse reactions “very seriously”, and are reviewed through the “appropriate channels”.

“The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has rigorous safety standards and monitors the safety of all vaccines supplied in Australia. The TGA has robust procedures to quickly detect, investigate and respond to potential safety issues if they arise,” the spokesperson said.

More to come