A report from The Telegraph reveals that AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of the Covishield vaccine, has admitted for the first time in court documents that the vaccine may lead to a rare side effect. This acknowledgment raises the possibility of significant legal payouts.
The company faces a class-action lawsuit alleging that the vaccine can cause Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a condition characterized by blood clot formation and low platelet counts. Covishield, developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in India where it was produced by the Serum Institute, is under scrutiny.
Dr. Jagadish J Hiremath, a public health expert, explains that TTS is a rare condition associated with certain COVID-19 vaccines, particularly those using adenovirus vectors like Covishield. While the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, it’s believed to involve an immune response triggering platelet activation and clot formation.
Though rare, TTS may be influenced by factors like age, gender (more prevalent in younger women), and possibly genetics. Healthcare providers are advised to monitor high-risk individuals for symptoms such as severe headache, chest pain, and shortness of breath, which typically manifest a few weeks post-vaccination.
AstraZeneca’s acknowledgment could lead to stricter vaccine safety monitoring and regulation. While Indians should be aware of the report, Dr. Hiremath assures that the benefits of Covishield in preventing COVID-19 generally outweigh the risks of TTS. Continuous monitoring and timely medical attention for symptoms are recommended for managing the potential risk.
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