AstraZeneca Vaccines: Why Are Some Countries Suspending Its Use? There have been reports of blood clots in some recipients. But in the absence of evidence they were caused by the vaccine, some experts think this move is overly cautious. Patricia Treble, Maclean's Updated March 17, 2021 A man waits in a vaccination centre where a sign reads “No AstraZeneca vaccinations today” in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, southwestern France, Tuesday, March 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Bob Edme) As Canada ramps up its vaccination program, a growing list of countries in Europe are scaling theirs down—at least, for now. Last week, Austria, Denmark, Norway and Iceland temporarily halted their use of the AstraZeneca vaccine amid reports that some people developed blood clots after getting that particular vaccine. As of now, nearly 20 European nations, including Germany and France, have suspended use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.