(Updates with details from drug regulator)
MEXICO CITY, April 7 (Reuters) - Mexico's drug regulator
said on Wednesday it has no current plans to limit use of
AstraZeneca's COVID-19 shot after Britain's vaccine
advisory committee cited safety concerns over its use in people
under age 30.
The drug regulator, Cofepris, said in a statement that it is
investigating the information raised by Britain's Joint
Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and awaiting
further input from Mexico's counterpart.
"At this time, Cofepris does not plan to limit the use of
AstraZeneca vaccines to any age or group," the statement said.
The JCVI said earlier it was preferable for adults under 30
with no underlying conditions to be offered an alternative to
the AstraZeneca vaccine where available, due to reports of a
rare side-effect of blood clots in the brain.
Mexico has so far acquired 3.5 million doses of the
AstraZeneca vaccine developed with Oxford University
researchers, according to government data. Some of that came
through a loan deal with the United States, where the
AstraZeneca shot is not yet authorized, and from an agreement
with the Serum Institute of India, which produces the vaccine.
Mexico and Argentina also have a deal with AstraZeneca to
produce its vaccine for distribution in Latin America, with
financial support from the foundation of Mexican billionaire
Carlos Slim.
(Reporting by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Anthony Esposito
and Bill Berkrot)
Astrazeneca (AZN)
