War of words over vaccine safety ------------------------------------------ Germany’s vaccine regulator has recommended using the AstraZeneca vaccine only for people aged over 60, following reports of 31 suspected cases of blood clots in the brain after vaccination ------------------------------------------ JANUARY Jan 25: German newspapers erroneously claim efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine is less than 10% in over-65s ------------------------------------------ Jan 29: European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommends authorising AstraZeneca vaccine across EU ------------------------------------------ FEBRUARY Feb 6: First doses distributed across EU. France, Italy, Austria, Hungary and Czech Republic receive shipments ------------------------------------------ Feb 27: 49-year-old woman admitted to Medical University of Vienna. Patient has low platelet count and clots in veins and arteries of abdomen. Symptoms appear five days after vaccine shot. Patient dies ------------------------------------------ MARCH Mar 7: Austrian authorities announce investigation of another death ------------------------------------------ Mar 11: Denmark, Norway halt vaccine use after four deaths ------------------------------------------ Mar 15: Germany suspends use following three deaths ------------------------------------------ Mar 16: 13 EU countries suspend vaccine use ------------------------------------------ Mar 18: UK regulatory agency says use of vaccine will continue while reports of five blood clots among 11 million administered shots are investigated ------------------------------------------ Mar 22: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine reports that in Europe just 25 people have developed blood clots out of 20 million who received vaccine. Rate is lower than what is expected among unvaccinated population ------------------------------------------ Mar 30: German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Health Minister Jens Spahn announce suspension of use of vaccine ------------------------------------------ Sources: AstraZeneca, EMA, AAAS Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS