AstraZeneca Admits Rare Side Effect of Covishield Vaccine, Faces Legal Action
AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical giant behind the widely used COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, developed in collaboration with Oxford University, has for the first time acknowledged a rare side effect associated with the vaccine in court documents. The company admitted that Covishield could lead to Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a condition characterized by blood clots and a reduction in blood platelets. This revelation comes amid a class-action lawsuit claiming that the vaccine causes TTS, potentially paving the way for significant legal repercussions.
The health condition TTS is particularly rare, presenting symptoms such as severe headaches, blurred vision, and chest pain, which tend to surface within a few weeks of vaccination. According to Dr. Jagadish J Hiremath, a public health expert, this syndrome is an immune response that may be triggered by the adenovirus vectors used in the vaccine. The precise mechanism through which the vaccine leads to TTS is not fully understood, but it involves platelet activation and blood clot formation, similar to autoimmune reactions seen in other contexts.
The acknowledgment by AstraZeneca is seen as a significant step for vaccine safety monitoring and may influence regulatory practices and public trust in vaccination programs. Dr. Hiremath advises that while the condition is extremely rare, the benefits of vaccination against COVID-19 with Covishield generally outweigh the risks. Health professionals are urged to remain vigilant for symptoms to manage and treat TTS effectively, ensuring patient safety.
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