WORCESTERSHIRE’S public health boss has urged people to have the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, after some raised concerns over its safety.

Dr Kathryn Cobain, the director for Public Health in Worcestershire, has urged everybody to take up the vaccine opportunity when they are invited to do so.

Her comments came after the UK’s vaccine advisory body said under-30s will be offered an alternative jab to the AstraZeneca vaccine, due to growing evidence linking AstraZeneca jabs to rare blood clots.

A review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) found that, by the end of last month, 79 people in the UK has suffered from blood clots following vaccination, with 19 of those people dying.

The regulator stressed that this was not proof that the AstraZeneca vaccine was the cause of the clots but conceded that the link was getting stronger. The committee concluded that the benefits of the jab outweigh the risks, but as people under 30 are at less risk of Covid-19 they should be offered an alternative jab.

But Dr Cobain stressed the Oxford vaccine and all the others currently being used, were “highly effective” and had been tested for safety.

“Vaccination is highly effective and substantially reduces the risk of infection and severe COVID-19 disease,” Dr Cobain said.

“All vaccines go through a robust regulatory process and are continuously monitored for safety. If you are called for vaccination, I’d urge you to have it. Vaccines remain the best way to protect people and have already saved thousands of lives.”

Readers have been having their say. Joe Oss Birch said: “Had my first one, and yeah I am now slightly concerned about getting the second.”

Ivan Carter said: “I’ll get mine when its safe.”

But Richard Martin said: “I’m in my 30’s and have had my first jab. Other than mild side effects that were exactly as expected, it was brilliant. The minute risk of something rare happening won’t stop me getting my second.”

David Eastwood said: “If you won’t have the jab then for goodness sake don’t drive your car as you have a greater risk of being killed in your car than getting a blood clot that’s treatable. Death isn’t.”

Susarah Galanopoulos said: “I had mine a month ago and had no side effects whatsoever so will definitely get the second one. If you think how many people have had the vaccine compared to how many have blood clots it's a tiny amount.”