AstraZeneca vaccine linked to slightly higher risk of blood disorder

Analysis in Scotland finds small increase in risk of treatable condition called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

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Data from Scotland's Covid vaccination programme has revealed a possible small increase in the risk of a treatable and often mild bleeding disorder after the first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

Doctors examined the medical records of 5.4 million people in Scotland for instances of blood clots, unusual bleeding, and a condition called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), where a reduction in blood platelets can lead to easy bruising, bleeding gums and internal bleeding.