Pune: AstraZeneca, in collaboration with Oxford University and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India based in Pune, developed the Covishield vaccine, which has been widely administered during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it has been associated with a very rare but serious side effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS). This acknowledgement came after a lawsuit was initiated against the company, alleging that the vaccine caused serious harm and deaths.
TTS is a condition characterized by the formation of unusual blood clots combined with a low platelet count. These clots can occur in critical areas such as the brain or gut, potentially leading to severe complications. Symptoms can include severe headaches, abdominal pain, leg swelling, breathing difficulties, and cognitive disturbances. Individuals experiencing these symptoms after vaccination are urged to seek immediate medical attention.
Research suggests that TTS may occur due to an immune response where antibodies mistakenly attack proteins involved in blood clotting. The condition has been primarily linked to adenovirus vector vaccines like Covishield and has not been observed with mRNA vaccines such as those from Pfizer and Moderna.
The occurrence of TTS is quite rare. In the UK, the incidence rate is about 1 in 250,000, while the EU reports a rate of approximately 1 in 100,000 vaccinated individuals. Despite its severity, the rarity of the condition places it within acceptable safety margins for global vaccination efforts, especially considering the vaccine's effectiveness against Covid-19.
AstraZeneca has acknowledged the link between its vaccine and TTS following a lawsuit that highlighted instances of severe harm associated with the vaccine. This has led to heightened scrutiny and monitoring of the vaccine's side effects to ensure patient safety. The company and health officials continue to investigate and address these rare occurrences as part of their commitment to vaccine safety.