Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome

Context :

Recently, UK pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has acknowledged that its Covid-19 vaccine can lead to a rare side effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).

More on News : 

• The acknowledgement by AstraZeneca, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, comes amidst a lawsuit alleging severe harm and deaths caused by the vaccine. 
  • Kate, wife of a victim, demands an apology and fair compensation after a three-year struggle. 
  • The lawsuit, involving fifty-one cases, seeks around £100 million in compensation.
• In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) emerged as a new adverse event following immunization in individuals vaccinated with COVID-19 non-replicant adenovirus vector-based vaccines. 
  • This includes the AstraZeneca COVID-19 ChAdOx-1 vaccine and the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Janssen COVID-19 Ad26.COV2-S vaccines.

What is TTS (Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome)? 

• Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) is an extremely rare condition characterized by the formation of blood clots (thrombosis) and low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia). 
• It is also known as vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).
• Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a blood vessel, which can impede blood flow. 
• Thrombocytopenia is a condition where there is a low count of platelets in the blood. 
  • Platelets play a crucial role in clotting, which helps prevent excessive bleeding. 

• TTS is classified into 2 tiers by the CDC. 
  • Tier 1 :  
    • Rare blood clots, like in the brain or gut, sometimes alongside more typical ones in the legs or lungs. 
    • Low platelet count (below 150,000 per microliter). 
    • Tier 1 cases are usually more severe and riskier. 
    • This is more common in younger people. 
  • Tier 2 : 
    •  Common blood clots, like in the legs or lungs. 
    • Low platelet count (below 150,000 per microliter). A positive anti-PF4 ELISA test is necessary for diagnosis.

Symptoms of TTS : It may include :

• Severe or persistent headaches,
• Blurred vision, 
• Shortness of breath, 
• Chest pain, 
• Leg swelling, 
• Persistent abdominal pain, 
• confusion or seizure,
• Easy bruising or tiny blood spots under the skin beyond the injection site.

What is the link between TTS and the Covid vaccine? 

• The link between TTS and the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine was discovered after the vaccine’s rollout. Researchers found a connection between the vaccine and VITT. 
  • VITT is a subset of TTS, a distinction that AstraZeneca does not appear to acknowledge.

Additional Reading : Mission Covid Suraksha

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