Covishield Vaccine Side Effects: British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has admitted that its Covid-19 vaccine Covishield may cause a rare side effect called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). The vaccine maker has said in court documents that Covishield may, in rare cases, cause a condition that can lead to blood clots and a low platelet count, increasing the risk of heart attacks. The admission comes after a lawsuit filed against the company alleging serious harm and deaths linked to the vaccine.
According to court documents, Covishield, developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, can lead to this condition in rare cases. This vaccine was administered on a large scale across India during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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What is Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome
Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) is a rare condition in which blood clots form in abnormal places in the body and the number of platelets in the blood is low. Platelets are small cells that help blood to clot, so having too few of them can be dangerous. This condition has been seen in people who received adenoviral vector COVID-19 vaccines, such as Vaxzevria, Covishield (AstraZeneca) and the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. TTS occurs because the body’s immune system responds to the vaccine by making antibodies that attack proteins involved in blood clotting.
TTS is classified into 2 levels
Tier 1
- Rare blood clots, such as in the brain or intestines, can also sometimes form abnormally in the legs or lungs.
- Low platelet count (below 150,000 per microliter).
- A positive anti-PF4 ELISA test helps confirm, but is not always required.
- Tier 1 cases are usually more severe and risky.
- This is seen more in young people.
Tier-2
- Common blood clots, such as in the legs or lungs.
- Low platelet count (below 150,000 per microliter).
- A positive anti-PF4 ELISA test is required to confirm it.
Symptoms of TTS
Symptoms of TTS can include severe headache, abdominal pain, swelling in the legs, trouble breathing and thinking, or seizures. If someone experiences these symptoms after getting the vaccine, they should see a doctor immediately.
Covishield, developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, was produced by the Serum Institute of India during the Corona epidemic and was widely administered to people in the country. AstraZeneca is facing several lawsuits in the UK over claims that its vaccine caused deaths and serious injuries in several cases.
In 51 cases in the UK High Court, victims are seeking damages of up to 100 million pounds. The first complainant in the case, Jamie Scott, alleged that he was vaccinated in April 2021, which caused permanent brain injury after blood clotting. He claimed that it made it very difficult for him to work … The hospital even told his wife three times that he was going to die.
AstraZeneca said, “It is recognised that the AZ vaccine may, in very rare cases, cause TTS. Furthermore, TTS can occur even in the absence of the AZ vaccine (or any vaccine).” AstraZeneca has admitted to participating in the legal defence of Scott’s claim, which could lead to payments to victims and grieving relatives.
