COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, emerged in late 2019 and rapidly transformed into a global pandemic. What began as an outbreak in China quickly spread worldwide, leaving a lasting impact on health, society, and the economy.
Soon, the world engaged in discovering a cure for the global pandemic and the answer came in the form of a vaccine and it was administered to people.
However, this rushed decision to roll out vaccines has raised potential concerns about the side effects which were unknown. Recently, AstraZeneca which is one of the most prominent company manufacturing of COVID-19 preventive has admitted that its vaccines may lead to major side effect: Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).
What is the AstraZeneca Vaccine?
The AstraZeneca vaccine is known as Covishield in India. It is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) under license from AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford. Covishield received emergency use authorisation in India for adults. Covishield played a vital role in India's massive vaccination program and has also been supplied to numerous low and middle-income countries.
The AstraZeneca mentions, “AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine has been granted emergency use authorisation in India as well as Argentina, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico and Morocco for the active immunisation of adults. The vaccine was shown in clinical trials to be safe and effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19, with no severe cases and no hospitalisations more than 14 days after the second dose.”
“The approval in India is an important milestone as it will enable to supply India but also a large number of countries around the world. AstraZeneca has partnered with Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, for the supply of the vaccine to the Indian Government but also to a large number of low and middle-income countries,” it adds.
How Does the COVID Vaccine Work?
Covishield works by using a weakened version of a common cold virus found in chimpanzees, known as an adenovirus. This virus has been modified to carry a specific part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus: the spike protein.
The AstraZeneca mentions, “AZD1222 was co-invented by the University of Oxford and its spin-out company, Vaccitech. It uses a replication-deficient chimpanzee viral vector based on a weakened version of a common cold virus (adenovirus) that causes infections in chimpanzees and contains the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein. After vaccination, the surface spike protein is produced, priming the immune system to attack the SARS-CoV-2 virus if it later infects the body.”
What are the Side Effects of COVID Vaccine?
While COVID-19 vaccines are generally safe and effective, they can cause some side effects. These are:
- Soreness at the injection site: This is the most common side effect, experienced by many people.
- Fatigue: Feeling tired after vaccination is a common occurrence.
- Headache: Headaches are another frequently reported side effect.
- Muscle aches: General body aches and pains are also possible.
- Fever: A low-grade fever may occur.
WHO states: “Mild-to-moderate side effects, like a low-grade fever or muscle aches, are normal and not a cause for alarm: they are signs that the body’s immune system is responding to the vaccine, specifically the antigen (a substance that triggers an immune response), and is gearing up to fight the virus. These side effects usually go away on their own after a few days.”
“Common and mild or moderate side effects are a good thing: they show us that the vaccine is working. Experiencing no side effects doesn’t mean the vaccine is ineffective. It means everybody responds differently,” it adds.
What is the Recent Controversy on AstraZeneca Vaccines?
The recent controversy surrounding the AstraZeneca vaccine (known as Covishield in India) revolves around the rare but serious side effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS). Here's a breakdown:
Admission of TTS: In the court documents submitted, AstraZeneca acknowledged that the vaccine can cause TTS in very rare cases. This admission came during a class-action lawsuit against the company for alleged deaths and severe injuries caused by the vaccine.
TTS Concerns: TTS is a condition characterised by blood clots and a low platelet count, potentially leading to life-threatening complications. While the risk is very low, it has sparked concerns and hesitancy towards the AstraZeneca vaccine in some countries.
Temporary Suspensions: Following reports of TTS cases, several countries, including Spain, Germany, France, and Italy, temporarily suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in 2021. However, most countries resumed its use after thorough investigations and considering the low risk compared to the benefits.
The case was first discovered by The Telegraph and it states: “AstraZeneca has admitted for the first time in court documents that its Covid vaccine can cause a rare side effect, in an apparent about-turn that could pave the way for a multi-million pound legal payout. The pharmaceutical giant is being sued in a class action over claims that its vaccine, developed with the University of Oxford, caused death and serious injury in dozens of cases.”
“Lawyers argue the vaccine produced a side effect which has had a devastating effect on a small number of families. The first case was lodged last year by Jamie Scott, a father of two, who was left with a permanent brain injury after developing a blood clot and a bleed on the brain that has prevented him from working after he received the vaccine in April 2021. The hospital called his wife three times to tell her that her husband was going to die.”
“AstraZeneca is contesting the claims but has accepted, in a legal document submitted to the High Court in February, that its Covid vaccine “can, in very rare cases, cause TTS”.
TTS – which stands for Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome – causes people to have blood clots and a low blood platelet count. Fifty-one cases have been lodged in the High Court, with victims and grieving relatives seeking damages estimated to be worth up to £100 million,” it adds.
What is Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS)?
Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) is a rare and serious condition characterised by:
Thrombosis: Formation of blood clots in unusual locations within the body. These clots can occur in various places like the brain (cerebral venous sinus thrombosis), abdomen (splanchnic vein thrombosis), lungs (pulmonary embolism), or deep veins of the limbs.
The American Society of Haematology mentions: “Thrombosis is a medical word for a blood clot. Blood clots can form in a blood vessel (vein or artery) in any part of the body. Some blood clots are life-threatening if they stop blood and oxygen from reaching vital organs.”
Thrombocytopenia: A significant decrease in the number of platelets in the blood. Platelets are tiny blood cells essential for normal blood clotting and preventing excessive bleeding.
The American Society of Haematology mentions: “Thrombocytopenia is a medical word for low platelets. Platelets are blood cells that stop bleeding by clumping and forming plugs in blood vessel injuries. If you have low platelets you can bleed more easily and for a longer time than normal.”
Therefore, TTS involves both blood clots and a low platelet count, which can lead to life-threatening complications.
The American Society of Haematology mentions: “Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) is a new health condition. It was discovered after the start of COVID-19 immunisation programmes worldwide. TTS is different from the other blood clotting disorders described above. In TTS, blood clots and low platelet levels happen at the same time. The condition can be life threatening.”
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