The TGA is investigating reports of suspected transverse myelitis among recipients of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine following warnings of the potential safety signal from its European counterpart.

As of 16 January, the regulator had received 16 reports of the rare neurological disorder from nearly 14 million doses of the viral-vector vaccine administered to date.

Transverse myelitis can have multiple causes including infection — particularly viral infection — and underlying demyelinating disease such as MS and autoimmune conditions.

“The current PI [product information] contains a warning about neurological events and advises healthcare professionals to be alert for signs and symptoms to ensure correct diagnosis,” the TGA said in its latest COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report.