The Covid vaccine developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca, marketed as Covishield in India and Vaxzevria in Europe, utilizes a viral vector derived from the modified chimpanzee adenovirus ChAdOx1.
New Delhi: doctors have highlighted that Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a rare blood clot disorder, is a potential side effect of AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine.
They emphasized that the risks associated with this side effect outweigh the benefits of receiving the jab. This revelation follows reports indicating that AstraZeneca, in court documents, has acknowledged for the first time that its vaccine, developed in collaboration with Oxford University, may increase the risk of a rare and severe blood clot.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine, known as Covishield in India and Vaxzevria in Europe, employs a viral vector derived from the modified chimpanzee adenovirus ChAdOx1.
Covishield, produced and distributed in India through a partnership with the Serum Institute of India (SII), was widely administered in the country, reaching nearly 90 percent of the population.
According to infectious disease expert Dr. Ishwar Gilada, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Syndrome (TTS) is a rare but severe adverse effect associated with Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (VITTP). Although the incidence is low, at around one in 50,000 (0.002 percent), in a large population, the numbers can be significant.
Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of the Indian Medical Association’s National Covid-19 Task Force, explained that TTS is an uncommon condition triggered by an abnormal immune response, which has been linked with adenovirus vector vaccines. The WHO also published a report on this issue on May 27, 2021.
In a significant development, AstraZeneca has acknowledged in UK court documents for the first time that its Covid vaccine carries a risk of causing rare blood clots, as reported by the Telegraph. Around 51 cases have been filed in the UK High Court against the pharmaceutical company, with claims of vaccine-related deaths and serious injuries. The claimants, including relatives of victims, are seeking damages estimated at up to £100 million.
Although AstraZeneca is contesting these claims, it has conceded in a legal document submitted to the High Court in February that its Covid vaccine “can, in very rare cases, cause TTS.”
TTS manifests in individuals as blood clots and a reduced blood platelet count.
In India, almost 90 percent of Covid vaccine recipients received the AstraZeneca vaccine, known as Covishield. This vaccine is derived from a harmless adenovirus originating from chimpanzees.
Dr. Ishwar, Secretary General of the People’s Health Organisation-India in Mumbai, explained that once a virus is genetically modified to match SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of Covid-19, it targets the spike protein. Consequently, the vaccine integrates the genetic sequence of the S spike protein.
Describing the mechanism of potential TTS risk, he noted that the vaccine is typically injected into the deltoid muscle in the arm. However, occasionally, it may enter the bloodstream instead of staying localized in the muscle. Once in the bloodstream, the adenovirus in the vaccine acts like a magnet, specifically binding to a type of blood protein called platelet factor 4 (PF4).
While PF4 normally aids blood clotting, in rare cases, the body’s immune system misidentifies it as a foreign invader and produces antibodies to attack it, a phenomenon known as mistaken identity.
These antibodies may then react with PF4, leading to the formation of blood clots, particularly in critical areas like the brain and heart, resulting in severe adverse effects.
Regarding concerns for Covishield vaccine recipients, Dr. Ishwar reassured that worry is unnecessary as such occurrences are exceedingly rare.
He highlighted the challenge of distinguishing between complications arising from Covid infection, long-Covid, or the vaccine, which remains debatable and difficult for both the scientific and legal communities.
Dr. Rajeev emphasized that vaccinated individuals have a lower overall risk of death from Covid, as well as complications such as post-Covid heart attacks and strokes.
Despite extremely rare serious side effects associated with vaccines, Dr. Rajeev stressed that the benefits far outweigh the risks. Covid vaccines have effectively prevented hundreds of thousands of deaths, illustrating the importance of vaccination. For instance, in the US, refusal to vaccinate due to disproportionate fear has led to 232,000-318,000 Covid-related deaths.
Read our latest articles – https://genzfitness.in/
Check out this Digital Products – https://bhaktihub.com/