Brazil Stops Use of AstraZeneca COVID Vaccine in Pregnant Women After Death
Syringes of AstraZeneca vaccination against Covid-19 are pictured inside the city's main mosque, which has temporarily become a mass vaccination center, during the coronavirus pandemic on May 09, 2021 in Cologne, Germany. Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

The government of Brazil announced the suspension of the vaccination of pregnant women with the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine after an expectant mother died in Rio de Janeiro upon receiving the jab.

The announcement of the Brazilian government comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) reported at least 38,911 new COVID positive cases in the country and 1,024 new deaths related to the disease on May 11.

Reuters reported that the AstraZeneca vaccines are produced and distributed in Brazil through their partnership with the public health institute, Fiocruz. The said suspension issued by Brazil only affects AstraZeneca and not the COVID vaccine shots developed by Sinovac and Pfizer.

Brazil's Anvisa on AstraZeneca

Franciele Francinato, coordinator of the Brazil Health Ministry's vaccination program, pointed out that the decision to suspend the vaccine brand in the country was due to the precautionary measure issued by Anvisa or the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency.

On late Monday, Anvisa issued a statement recommending the suspension of the use of AstraZeneca to pregnant women.

The agency said this resulted from constant monitoring of adverse events on COVID vaccines' use in the country. Anvisa further noted that the current package insert for the COVID vaccine from AstraZeneca does not recommend its use to pregnant women without medical advice.

A spokesperson of AstraZeneca said in an email to Al Jazeera that "pre-clinical studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to pregnancy or fetal development."

Moreover, AstraZeneca emphasized that pregnant and breastfeeding women were excluded from the company's trials. But it noted that studies in animals did not produce "direct or indirect evidence" of harm during pregnancy or fetal development.

The company added that studies concerning AstraZeneca's harmful effects with respect to pregnancy or fetal development "are ongoing."

The health ministry of Brazil said the occurrence of adverse effects from the vaccine "is extremely rare and lower than the risks presented by COVID-19."

The ministry further noted that they would also continue to recommend pregnant women to get vaccinated. However, the immunization of those without comorbidities must be reassessed.

Expectant Mother Dies Upon Receiving AstraZeneca

The suspension of AstraZeneca stemmed from an expectant mother who died in Rio de Janeiro after receiving the AstraZeneca shot, which state Health Secretary Alexandre Chieppe confirmed.

Anvisa noted that the 35-year-old woman was 23 weeks pregnant, and she died from a hemorrhagic stroke on Monday after checking into a hospital five days earlier.

Because of this, the Sau Paulo state immediately suspended the vaccination of pregnant women with previous medical conditions.

"The serious adverse effect of hemorrhagic stroke was assessed as possibly related to the use of the vaccine given to the pregnant woman," said Anvisa.

The regulator also emphasized that they have not been informed of any other hostile events in pregnant women upon receiving the vaccine.

Despite Brazil's suspension of AstraZeneca's COVID vaccine to pregnant women, the said shot has helped inoculate about 8.6 percent of the country's population. Meanwhile, the government of Brazil has also asked to consider delaying pregnancies due to a rising toll on new mothers.

WATCH: Brazil States Halt Use of AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccines on Pregnant Women - From ANC News