The pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has acknowledged a rare side effect linked to its COVID-19 vaccine, known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS). This acknowledgment comes following reports by The Telegraph.
Covishield, the name under which the vaccine was used in India, was developed by AstraZeneca in collaboration with Oxford University. It was manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.
What exactly is TTS?
Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome is a rare but serious condition associated with certain COVID-19 vaccines, particularly adenovirus vector vaccines like AstraZeneca’s and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
TTS is characterized by the presence of blood clots, along with low levels of platelets, which are essential for blood clotting. These blood clots can occur in unusual locations such as the brain or abdomen.
Symptoms of TTS
Symptoms of TTS include severe or persistent headaches, blurred vision, shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling, persistent abdominal pain, and easy bruising or tiny blood spots under the skin beyond the injection site.
It’s crucial not to ignore these symptoms if you’ve received a vaccine associated with TTS. While TTS is rare, early recognition and treatment are vital for effective management.
Dr. Jayadevan, Co-Chairman of the National Indian Medical Association (IMA) Covid Task Force in Kerala, emphasized the importance of awareness regarding TTS. He highlighted that while COVID-19 vaccines have saved lives, reports of these rare but potentially serious immune-mediated events have been documented.
AstraZeneca’s admission regarding the potential for its COVID-19 vaccine to lead to TTS underscores the need for vigilance. The vaccine, marketed globally under various names including Covishield and Vaxzevria, utilizes a modified chimpanzee adenovirus to deliver the COVID-19 spike protein into human cells.
Unlike mRNA vaccines, Covishield is based on the viral vector platform, which has been associated with rare instances of TTS.
Blood clots pose a significant risk, particularly when they develop within blood vessels, causing thrombosis. According to Yale Medicine hematologist Robert Bona, MD, these clots often occur in individuals who are bedridden, hospitalized, or have other medical conditions related to inflammation, infection, or cancer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported TTS as a new adverse event following immunization in individuals vaccinated with COVID-19 non-replicant adenovirus vector-based vaccines, including AstraZeneca’s ChAdOx-1 vaccine and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
While the risk of TTS associated with COVID-19 vaccines is rare, it’s essential to be aware of the symptoms and seek medical attention promptly if they occur. Early detection and treatment can make a significant difference in managing this serious condition.
