DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH)-Northern Mindanao Infectious Diseases Cluster head Dr. Ian Gonzales said Wednesday, April 14, that there is no recorded thromboembolic cases or blood clots due to AstraZeneca vaccines in the region.

"So far, wala pa tay recorded na case of thromboembolic events, meaning any type of blood clot, because of AstraZeneca or any other vaccines," Gonzales said.

According to Gonzales, thromboembolic cases are rare events.

He said there is a higher chance of blood clots or stroke happening due to smoking and Covid-19 infection, compared to being linked to the vaccines.

"Very low risk. So far, we have not yet collected any data nga nahitabo na sya," Gonzales said.

On April 8, a committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) said the link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and the rare cases of blood clots with low platelets is "considered plausible but is not confirmed."

The Covid-19 subcommittee of the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety said specialized studies are needed to fully understand the potential relationship between vaccination and possible risk factors.