The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday it was still conducting a safety review of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine as France, Italy, Spain, Romina, Portugal, and Germany joined the group of countries that have suspended the use of this jab following reports that some recipients developed blood clots and died after being vaccinated.

Deputy health minister of Ukraine, Viktor Lyashko, tested positive for COVID-19 13 days after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, he said on social media, noting that "this was a period when post-vaccination immunity has not yet been fully developed."

The European Medicines Agency, the EU medicines regulator, said on Monday it would hold a meeting this week on the information gathered into whether the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine contributed to those thromboembolic events.