The European Medicines Agency has cleared the AstraZeneca vaccine for use – finding it to be safe and effective with no direct link between the jab and blood clotting events. Prime Minister Scott Morrison previously batted away suggestions Australia should pause its rollout of the vaccine after more than a dozen EU countries suspended the jab due to fears it caused blood clots. The EU watchdog investigated the jab, however, and approved it. EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke confirmed “the committee has come to a clearer scientific conclusion, this is a safe and effective vaccine. Its benefits in protecting people from COVID-19 with the associated risks of death and hospitalisation outweigh the possible risk.” “The committee also concluded that the vaccine is not associated with an increase in the overall risk for thromboembolic events or blood clots,” she added. Italy and France were among several countries resuming their vaccination program off the back of the announcement. Meanwhile, Australia will roll out phase 1b of its vaccine program – which is expected to see six million Australians vaccinated. GPs have raised concerns about a lack of supply following an overwhelming number of patient inquiries, with some clinics already facing a two-month waiting list. Health Minister Greg Hunt, however, called for patience and reassured Australians more jabs were on the way.