AstraZeneca Admits Rare Side Effects from Covishield Vaccine, Emphasizes Patient Safety
AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical giant behind the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine. Has acknowledged that the vaccine can cause blood clots and a low platelet count in rare cases. This revelation comes amid growing concerns over the vaccine’s potential side effects. The vaccine, known as Covishield in India, is produced by the Serum Institute of India. And has been widely administered across the country.
The acknowledgment follows a UK court case involving a 100-million-pound class-action lawsuit. In which AstraZeneca conceded that the vaccine could lead to Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) in extremely rare cases. While this isn’t the first time the company has admitted to potential side effects. The legal proceedings underscore the seriousness of these rare but significant risks.
“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.
AstraZeneca Admits Rare Side Effects from Covishield Vaccine, Emphasizes Patient Safety
Despite these concerns, regulatory agencies worldwide and the World Health Organization (WHO) continue to affirm that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination far outweigh the risks. The WHO has described the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine as “safe and effective for all individuals aged 18 and above,” emphasizing that the rare side effects are uncommon.
Covishield, developed by the Serum Institute of India, employs a viral vector platform rather than mRNA technology. It uses a modified chimpanzee adenovirus, ChAdOx1, to deliver the COVID-19 spike protein into human cells, enabling the immune system to develop a defense against the virus without the risk of actual infection.
Regulatory bodies are closely monitoring the situation to ensure ongoing patient safety. The rare side effects, while a cause for concern, are being weighed against the significant public health benefits provided by vaccination in the fight against COVID-19.