AstraZeneca has acknowledged that Covishield, their COVID-19 vaccine, can cause the rare side effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS). TTS leads to blood clots coupled with low platelet counts. Symptoms of TTS include severe headaches and abdominal pain. The recommended treatment for TTS includes anticoagulation therapy and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted the seriousness of TTS, calling it a life-threatening adverse event. In a 2023 statement, WHO issued interim emergency guidance to raise awareness about TTS among healthcare providers. This guidance aims to assist in the recognition and management of TTS cases following COVID-19 vaccination. WHO’s initiative emphasizes the importance of prompt assessment and appropriate treatment to mitigate the risks associated with TTS in the context of ongoing vaccination efforts.
A significant update has emerged regarding the rare side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, raising concerns among health experts. According to The Telegraph, AstraZeneca has admitted in court documents that its COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield, can cause rare side effects. Covishield, developed by the British-Swedish pharmaceutical and biotechnology company AstraZeneca, is produced by the Serum Institute of India. This admission has intensified scrutiny of the vaccine’s safety profile as experts continue to evaluate its impact.
Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) is a rare condition associated with blood clots and low platelet counts. There have been 51 cases brought before the High Court, with victims and their families seeking damages that could total up to £100 million. This follows AstraZeneca’s recent admission, disclosed in legal documents related to Mr. Scott’s High Court claim, that its COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield, can cause TTS in very rare instances. This acknowledgment came after extensive legal debates and could potentially result in compensation if AstraZeneca concedes that the vaccine caused serious illness or death in specific cases. The UK government has promised to cover AstraZeneca’s legal expenses in these matters.
In a letter to Mr. Scott’s lawyers in May 2023, AstraZeneca stated, “we do not accept that TTS is caused by the vaccine at a generic level.” However, the legal document submitted to the High Court in February acknowledged, “It is admitted that the AZ vaccine can, in very rare cases, cause TTS. The causal mechanism is not known.”
