In a First, AstraZeneca Acknowledges Rare Blood Clot Risk in COVID-19 Vaccine | Weather.com – The Weather Channel

Representative Image

In a significant development, AstraZeneca the pharmaceutical giant behind one of the world's most widely used COVID-19 vaccines has admitted for the first time that its product carries a rare risk of Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, triggering blood clots and low blood platelet counts. This admission comes amid mounting concerns over the safety profile of the AstraZeneca vaccine, known as Covishield in India and Vaxzevria in Europe.

The acknowledgement surfaced in UK court documents, where AstraZeneca conceded that its adenovirus vector technology-based vaccine could, in very rare cases, lead to TTS, a serious blood clotting disorder. The revelation has sparked renewed scrutiny and raised questions about the vaccine's overall risk-benefit profile. Legal actions have been initiated against AstraZeneca, with about 51 cases lodged in the UK High Court by individuals and families affected by adverse reactions to the vaccine.

In India, where Covishield constitutes a significant portion of the national vaccination drive, the admission has prompted discussions about vaccine safety and public confidence. Dr. Ishwar Gilada, an infectious disease expert, emphasised the rarity of TTS, with incidence rates estimated at one in 50,000.

Despite the rare risk of TTS, experts emphasise the overwhelming benefits of vaccination in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccines, including Covishield, have played a crucial role in preventing severe illness, hospitalisations, and deaths associated with the virus.

The admission by AstraZeneca underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and assessment of COVID-19 vaccines to ensure their safety and effectiveness in the global fight against the pandemic.

(With inputs from multiple agencies)

**

For weather, science, space, and COVID-19 updates on the go, download The Weather Channel App (on Android and iOS store). It's free!

Continue reading here:

In a First, AstraZeneca Acknowledges Rare Blood Clot Risk in COVID-19 Vaccine | Weather.com - The Weather Channel

Related Posts
Tags: