AstraZeneca Admits Covishield Vaccine Can Cause Rare Side Effects, Releases Statement

AstraZeneca faces multiple lawsuits in the UK where litigants claim that Covishield led to rare side-effects like Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS). (Image: Unsplash/Representative)

AstraZeneca extended condolences towards those who lost their lives and says patients safety remains its top priority.

The British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company AstraZeneca admitted in court papers submitted to a UK court that its COVID vaccine, Covishield, can lead to rare side-effects, according to a report by The Telegraph.

The vaccine for Covid was was developed by AstraZeneca and was produced by the Serum Institute of India. Covishield was one of the most widely administered vaccines in India but in the UK the vaccine-makers are facing a class action lawsuit following claims that the vaccine caused deaths. 51 cases were filed against the vaccine-makers.

“Our sympathy goes out to anyone who has lost loved ones or reported health problems. Patient safety is our highest priority, and regulatory authorities have clear and stringent standards to ensure the safe use of all medicines, including vaccines,” AstraZeneca said in a statement, as per broadcaster NDTV, issued Tuesday.

The statement comes after the company conceded that the Covishield vaccine can cause Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) in very rare cases.

TTS is a rare but serious condition that leads to blood clot formation (thrombosis) coupled with low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia). Symptoms of TTS can range from severe headaches, abdominal pain, leg swelling, shortness of breath to neurological deficits.

It can be diagnosed via assessment of platelet levels and imaging studies to detect blood clots.

Treatment may involve hospitalisation and anticoagulation therapy to prevent further clotting. TTS can also lead to organ damage and death. “TTS is thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, which is basically clot in blood vessels of the brain or elsewhere, along with a low platelet count. It is known to occur in very rare instances following certain types of vaccines and also from other causes. According to the WHO, adenovirus vector vaccines in particular have been rarely associated with this condition,” Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, a medical expert was quoted as saying by ANI.

“Although COVID vaccines have prevented numerous deaths, reports of these extremely rare but potentially serious immune mediated events have also been published in reputed journals,” he further added.