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AstraZeneca's acknowledgment of its vaccine's clotting side effect has stirred concerns among Covishield recipients in India.

 

The vaccine, manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute, has been administered in vast numbers across the nation.

 

The admission of the side effect, known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), came as AstraZeneca faced legal action over severe harm and fatalities allegedly linked to the vaccine.

 

Read more about Thrombosis: What is Thrombosis – a side effect of AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine (newsarenaindia.com)

 

Experts emphasize that Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) was early on reported by European countries but remains exceedingly rare in India, particularly among Indian and South Asian populations.

 

They stress that despite this rare risk, ample evidence demonstrates that vaccination has saved lives, with benefits far outweighing potential risks.

 

The elevated risk of TTS is primarily confined to the initial weeks following the first vaccination, and most Indians have already received multiple doses, significantly reducing this concern.

 

A senior health ministry official, who was part of the discussions on the vaccination drive says, “TTS is a very rare side effect, rarer still in Indians and South Asians as compared to Europeans. But there is enough evidence to show that vaccination saved lives — the benefits outweighed the risks.”

 

Dr. Gagandeep Kang, Director of Global Health at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, highlights the importance of reassuring individuals about the temporal nature of the TTS risk post-vaccination as well.

 

"Besides, the risk is not only rare but is high only in the first few weeks after the first vaccination. Most Indians have already had three shots and it has been a long time since", said Dr Gagandeep Kang, Director of Global Health at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, who was on the WHO safety advisory committee for COVID-19 vaccines.

 

Experts emphasize that while TTS poses a risk, especially in the weeks following vaccination, the overall benefit of vaccination remains substantial.

 

Further, the warnings about this rare side effect have been included in Covishield's package inserts since the onset of vaccination campaigns.

 

Recent studies have shown geographic variations in TTS reporting, with higher rates in certain regions.

 

Considering the current high levels of antibodies in the Indian population and the availability of newer vaccines targeting variant strains like Omicron, experts suggest that for most individuals, vaccination may not be necessary at present.

 

Only seven to eight individuals out of 10 lakh, who receive the coronavirus vaccine Covishield, face the risk of experiencing a rare side effect known as thrombosis thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).

 

India’s top epidemiologist, former ICMR scientist Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, said those who got this vaccine have “no risk at all”.

 

The Government Committee on Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) has already registered 36 TTS cases and confirmed 18 deaths in India since 2021.

 

Indian Patients can’t join the British petition due to legal hurdles like approvals from different regulators as the vaccine was manufactured by India based Serum Institute that is subject to Indian jurisdiction and laws. 

 

Following the discussions, an AstraZeneca spokesperson stated, "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"