AstraZeneca, a UK-based pharmaceutical company, has acknowledged that its Covid-19 vaccine can, in rare instances, result in a condition called Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), characterized by low platelet count and blood clotting. This acknowledgment is based on information from court documents cited in the media.
Sold as Covishield in India and Vaxzevria in Europe and other regions, the vaccine was developed in collaboration with the Serum Institute of India and played a pivotal role in India's fight against the pandemic.
Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya, a senior consultant physician and vaccines specialist at Sukhmani Hospital in New Delhi, explained that TTS is a rare but serious adverse effect classified under Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (VITTP). The link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and this condition was identified in early 2021, shortly after the vaccine was first administered. Dr. Lahariya stressed that despite these extremely rare side effects, the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks, emphasizing the significant number of lives saved by the vaccine.
Dr. Pavitra Mohan, a pediatrician, public health expert, and co-founder of Basic Healthcare Services, emphasized the need for transparent communication from pharmaceutical companies and vaccine developers. He assured the public that while the side effects are serious, they are rare and mostly affect young people within a few weeks of the first dose. Dr. Ravi Wankedekar reiterated the World Health Organization's stance that the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective for individuals aged 18 and above, highlighting the ongoing research into the long-term effects of both Covid-19 and the vaccine.
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