Several countries have limited the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to people over 60.

Many European countries have limited the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to rare blood clot issues.

Many European countries have limited the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to rare blood clot issues.AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use in many countries. It displayed an overall efficacy of 80 percent during clinical trials. However, a small number of blood clots have been reported, especially in women below 60. These blood clots tended to happen within two weeks of administering the vaccine.

Health authorities in Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, and Italy have restricted the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine to people under 60. They have recommended to the public below 60 to receive a different second dose if they have already received a first shot of AstraZeneca. Australia, too, joined the list of countries that have restricted vaccine use. In the U.K., the under-30's are offered an alternative due to the evidence linking the jab with blood clots.

However, medical experts and regulators have emphasized that the benefits of getting the vaccine outweighed the risks.