It has been announced today that adult Britons under the age of 30 will be offered an alternative to the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine where possible.
The decision follows advice after a review by the drugs regulator, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), found that by the end of March, 79 people in the UK suffered rare blood clots after receiving the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, and 19 of whom died.
The regulator has said that this was not proof that the jab had caused the clots, however.
It said that the side-effects were extremely rare, the vaccine’s effectiveness was proven, and the benefits of taking the vaccine were still very favourable for the vast majority.
But it did confirm the link was getting firmer.
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"The risk of this rare suspected side effect remains extremely small"
Head of UK medicines regulator Dr June Raine says the risk of rare blood clot is "about 4 people in a million" who receive the AstraZeneca vaccine
Dr June Raine – Chief Executive of the MHRA – confirmed a total of 51 women and 28 men aged 18 to 79 were affected by blood clots, and of those 19 people who have sadly died, three were under the age of 30.
“The risk is four people in a million,” Dr Raine said.
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She also urged anybody suffering the following side effects four days after getting the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab to seek medical attention:
Headaches
Blurred vision
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Leg swelling
Abdominal pain
Bruising or pinpoint spots beyond the vaccination site
Professor Lim Wei Shen – Chair of COVID-19 Immunisation at the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) – assured that the decision to prioritise a different jab for under 30s was made “out of utmost caution rather than because we have any serious safety concerns”.
England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, has said the new advice is a “course correction” for the UK’s “very successful” vaccine rollout.
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Prof Jonathan Van Tam says change in clinical advice for under-30s around Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will have "zero or negligible" effect on "timing of our overall programme" https://t.co/rRyUdgcsszpic.twitter.com/4TFIoJ8xdc
Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously during a visit to Cornwall earlier today that the government believes the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is “safe”, but added: “The crucial thing for everybody is to listen to what the scientists [and] the medical experts have to say later on today.”
For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
7th April 2021 
