AstraZeneca, a prominent British pharmaceutical company, has acknowledged that its Covid-19 vaccine may lead to a rare side effect identified as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS). This admission comes subsequent to a legal case brought against the company, alleging significant harm and fatalities associated with the vaccine.
As per legal filings, Covishield, a vaccine jointly developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, has been linked to instances of this condition in rare cases. Covishield was extensively utilized across India during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) is an infrequent condition characterized by the formation of blood clots in atypical locations within the body, accompanied by a decrease in the number of platelets in the bloodstream. Platelets, crucial for blood clotting, pose a risk when their count diminishes excessively.
TTS has been observed predominantly in individuals who received adenoviral vector COVID-19 vaccines such as Vaxzevria, Covishield (AstraZeneca), and the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. It appears to stem from an immune response triggered by the vaccine, wherein antibodies target a protein involved in blood clotting.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) categorizes TTS into two tiers:
Tier 1:
- Occurrence of rare blood clots, including those in the brain or gut, sometimes in conjunction with more conventional clots in the legs or lungs.
- Reduced platelet count (below 150,000 per microliter).
- Confirmation of diagnosis may involve positive anti-PF4 ELISA tests, although they may not always be necessary.
- Tier 1 cases typically exhibit greater severity and entail higher risks, particularly prevalent among younger demographics.
Tier 2:
- Presence of common blood clots, such as those in the legs or lungs.
- Decreased platelet count (below 150,000 per microliter).
- Diagnosis confirmation necessitates a positive anti-PF4 ELISA test.
- TTS: Symptoms
Symptoms associated with TTS encompass severe headaches, abdominal discomfort, leg swelling, breathing difficulties, and cognitive impairment or seizures. Individuals exhibiting these signs subsequent to vaccination should promptly seek medical attention.
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