Under-40s may be offered an alternative to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after blood clot reports doubled, reports claim.

The chance of dying from a blood clot after having the jab is about one in one million – with 19 fatalities from around 20 million vaccinations.

However, the total number of people in the UK who developed blood clots after getting one dose has gone from 79 to 168 in a fortnight, Medical Healthcare Products and Regulatory Agency (MHRA) data suggests.

These new cases have taken the odds of experiencing a blood clot up from one in 250,000 to one in 126,000.

The MHRA has reiterated that the benefits of the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab outweigh the risks for most people – but is considering offering under-40s the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine given that younger people are more likely to be affected by blood clots, The Telegraph claims.

It comes after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) decided that under-30s should be offered an alternative to the Oxford jab.

Currently, anyone over the age of 45 can get a jab in England. Over-50s in Scotland and Wales are being offered their doses, while Northern Ireland has already started vaccinating over-35s. 

Deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam said on April 7 that 0.8 per 100,000 30 to 39-year-olds suffered serious blood clots after getting their Oxford/AstraZeneca jab. 

This was compared to 2.7 in 100,000 who would be kept out of intensive care by taking the vaccine.

But these figures were based on fewer cases and the MHRA is yet to release what these odds are now 168 people have had blood clots.

The MHRA has consistently said blood clots are extremely rare and people should continue to come forward for their second jabs, unless they have experienced worrying symptoms from the first. 

People should get in touch with their doctor if they have a rash that resembles a bruise or bleeding under the skin, shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling or stomach pain. 

The UK has now given 33,508,590 first doses while 12,071,810 people have their second doses. 

At the most recent Downing Street press conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and medical director of primary care at NHS England Dr Nikita Kanani assured people the Oxford vaccine is safe. 

Dr Kanani also reminded the public that they can change their minds and decide to get their jabs if they have previously declined the invitation. 

She said: ‘Our offer is evergreen. If you’ve decided that you would like your vaccination and you’re eligible, we have a vaccination for you.

‘If you’ve had your first dose and you have your second dose booked in, please also be sure to get it.

‘I have my second dose at the end of March and I can assure you anyone watching or listening that it’s safe so please go ahead and take up that opportunity.’

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