Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome

30 Apr 2024

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. 
Vaccine Developed By AstraZeneca

About Covidshield : 

  • Covishield  is not based on the mRNA platform but rather on the viral vector platform which utilizes a modified chimpanzee adenovirus, ChAdOx1, to deliver the COVID-19 spike protein into human cells
  • While this cold virus cannot infect the recipient, it can effectively instruct the immune system to prepare defenses against similar viruses.
  • 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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