(adds details from letter, context)
BRUSSELS, April 7 (Reuters) - European Union health
ministers have been told that new regulatory guidance for
AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine is expected to have an
immediate impact on inoculation plans and would require a
coordinated response, a letter seen by Reuters showed.
The EU drug regulator said on Wednesday that the vaccine had
possible links with very rare cases of unusual blood clots with
low blood platelet counts, but it reiterated that its advantages
outweighed its risks and recommended no age or gender limits for
its use.
"We expect this announcement will have a direct and
immediate impact not only on our national vaccination plans, but
also in our citizens' trust in vaccines against COVID-19," the
letter said.
It was sent by the EU's Portuguese presidency on Tuesday to
invite health ministers to an extraordinary virtual meeting at 6
p.m. (1600GMT) on Wednesday, following the regulator's decision.
The EU is grappling with a slow vaccine rollout caused by
supply problems and by repeated changes in the use of the
AstraZeneca shot, which have increased vaccine hesitancy.
"Harmonization at an EU level will be essential to stop the
spread of misinformation," it added.
After rare cases of blood clots emerged, some EU states
decided to restrict the use of the vaccine with national,
uncoordinated moves.
Germany has limited its use to people over 60 and
high-priority groups, and the country's vaccine commission
recommended that people under 60 who have had a first shot of
AstraZeneca's vaccine should receive a different product for
their second dose.
France said the vaccine should only be given to people aged
55 and over.
Many EU countries have imposed no limits on the vaccine.
The Portuguese presidency of the EU said in its letter to
health ministers that it hoped to reach "a common understanding"
about the use of the AstraZeneca shot.
(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio; ; editing by
John Stonestreet)