RCGP reassures patients about safety of AZ vaccine

Professor Martin Marshall, Chair of the Royal College of GP, said:

“Over 24 million people in the UK have now been vaccinated, many of whom have successfully received the AstraZeneca vaccine with no side effects. Where patients have reported side effects such as flu-like symptoms and muscle aches, these have been minor and transient.

"The public should be reassured that whilst these new vaccines were developed and approved at speed, no corners were cut, and patient safety has been, and remains, paramount.

"The MHRA has been unable to confirm that the reports of blood clots were caused by the vaccine and is advising people to get their vaccine when asked to do so.

"The message we are hearing back from our GP members is that patients are following this advice, and GPs and our teams are continuing with the vaccination effort to ensure that as many people as possible are protected, as quickly as possible."

Further information

(For media only)

RCGP Press office – 020 3188 7633/7494/7574
Out of hours: 020 3188 7659 
press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editor

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 52,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.