Italy launches manslaughter probe into death of teacher, 57, who died a day after being given AstraZeneca vaccine as country re-enters lockdown and EU turns its back on the jab

 

Italian prosecutors have opened a manslaughter probe into the death of music teacher Sandro Tognatti, 57 

Mr Tognatti died Sunday after getting an AstraZeneca vaccine, though cause of death has not been given

Probe launched as Italy, France and Germany became latest EU nations to suspend use of AstraZeneca's jab That is despite Covid cases rising with leaders facing prospect of more lockdowns due to low vaccine rates 

Italy reimposed measures today, German doctors called for tough approach and hospitals in Paris overflowed 

 

Italian prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation today after a music teacher died on Sunday - a day after receiving AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine. 

The judiciary in Biella, in northern Italy, opened a preliminary probe into the death of 57-year-old Sandro Tognatti, whose cause of death remains unknown. They stressed that there is no link to AstraZeneca's vaccine at this stage and the probe is intended to establish whether anyone has a case to answer.

It came as Italians woke up to fresh lockdown restrictions today, with 13 of the country's 21 regions now in a 'red zone' meaning schools, restaurants, shops and museums have to close, and people cannot leave their homes except for work, health or other essential reasons. Another seven regions have been declared 'orange zones', meaning shops and beauticians can remain open except during a night-time curfew, while all other venues have to close and travel outside the local area is restricted. Just one region, Sardinia, is in a lockdown-free 'white zone'. 

Italy also temporarily banned the use of all AstraZeneca vaccines amid fears it causes blood clots, with France and Germany also enacting bans and saying they are waiting for European regulators to give guidance. 

The European Medicines Agency said last week that there is no reason to halt use of the jab and that 'the benefits outweigh the risks of side effects', but its investigation is continuing and another report is due Thursday.

It comes after Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Bulgaria also suspended the jabs. Austria, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have impounded one batch of vaccines thought to be linked to clots.

It is just the latest episode in a long-running saga between EU countries and drug-maker AstraZeneca over its vaccine, which has seen ministers accuse the company of nationalism, impose export bans on its jabs, wrongly claim it is not effective in over-65s and reopen old wounds with recently-departed Brexit Britain.