Written By: Satata Karmakar | Published : July 29, 2021 11:04 AM IST
Disruption of the blood supply to the brain due to a clot can cause stroke.
One of the most talked-about post-COVID vaccine side effects that were reported amongst the patients is blood clotting. These life-threatening blood clots have been reported in patients mainly after taking AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine shots. But, in a major relief, a new study has revealed that only a small amount of risk of rare blood clots was is associated with the first jab of the vaccines, and no extra risk after the second shot. Yes, you can now sigh in relief.
In recent research published in The Lancet Journal, it has been stated that the rates of the very rare clotting disorder, thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), following a second dose of the vaccine are comparable to those among the unvaccinated population.
What is this thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)? TTS is a very rare syndrome that occurs when a person has blood clots (thrombosis) as well as low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia). The condition is also referred to as vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).
Anything that you need to worry about? Some of the rarest cases of this unusual syndrome have been reported after immunization (vaccinated) with AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, also known as Covishield in India. The outbreak of these unusual symptoms post-vaccinated also forced some of the countries to restrict or stop the use of the preventive.
The researchers stated that the estimated rate of TTS following the second dose of AstraZeneca was 2.3 per million vaccinees, comparable to the rate observed in an unvaccinated population. The rate was 8.1 per million vaccines after the first dose, they said.
Earlier the AstraZeneca vaccine-making company had issued a statement following several reports of rare blood clots post-jab. "No specific risk factors or definitive cause for TTS following COVID-19 vaccination have been identified and AstraZeneca continues to perform and support ongoing investigations of potential mechanisms," the company said in the statement. It further added, "Furthermore, these very rare events can be avoided when symptoms are identified and treated appropriately."
Co-developed by the University of Oxford, the AstraZeneca vaccine is based on a weakened version of a common cold virus (adenovirus) that causes infections in chimpanzees. The preventive contains the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein, which the virus uses to enter and infect the human cells. After vaccination, the surface spike protein is produced, priming the immune system to attack the SARS-CoV-2 virus if it later infects the body. According to its manufacturers, the AstraZeneca vaccine has been granted emergency use in more than 80 countries across six continents.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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