Over 54,000 reported AstraZeneca vaccine side effects, says Morocco Health Minister

Moroccan Health Minister Khaled Ait Taleb responded to a written question from MP Naima Elfathaoui of the Justice and Development Parliamentary Group regarding concerns about injuries or deaths linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

In his response, Minister Ait Taleb emphasized close patient monitoring and the provision of free healthcare to those experiencing serious side effects requiring extensive examinations and treatment.

He elaborated on the reporting mechanisms established to collect data on post-vaccination side effects.

The Minister reported that over 8.8 million AstraZeneca doses were administered during the vaccination campaign. He added that while over 13,500 people reported various side effects, only 54,423 total cases were reported, with 211 classified as serious by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Minister Ait Taleb explained that vaccine side effects are common and indicate the body's immune response to building immunity. He mentioned increased blood flow, elevated body temperature, and variations in individual responses as normal reactions.

For the record, in February, a court ordered the state to compensate a university professor who suffered health issues after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine.