email article Thromboembolic and bleeding risk has been cited by a number of countries in halting use of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, but the company and health agencies argued against a causal link. Denmark and Norway were first to stop administering AstraZeneca's vaccine last week over isolated cases of bleeding, blood clots, and low platelet count. Others followed. Germany and France on Monday became the latest to announce a pause in administration. Germany cited seven cases of cerebral vein thrombosis among patients getting one of the 1.6 million AstraZeneca shots given there so far. German Health Minister Jens Spahn call this a "very low risk" but above average if confirmed to be linked to the vaccine.