Covishield side effect Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), also known as vaccine-induced prothrombotic immune thrombocytopenia (VIPIT) or vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is rare disorder that has been developing in people who have taken Covid 19 vaccines that are Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) / Covidshield (by Serum Institute of India) and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen .
A syndrome characterized by thrombosis and thrombocytopenia hampers the normal blood flow in affected blood vessels and decrease the platelet count in the blood. The symptoms generally appear with in three months after vaccination. According CDC (Centre of Disease Control) TTS classified into two different tiers based on the severity of symptoms and location of thrombosis.
The former ICMR Scientist, Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar described in an interview with NEWS 18 that the chances of developing TTS (Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome) from the Covishield vaccine are approximately around 7 cases per 10 lakhs. Out of approximately 2 billion vaccine doses administered by 2022 in India, nearly 1.7 billion were of the Covishield vaccines.
He also included that the risk is highest after the first dose but decreases with the second and third dose. If any complications such as blood clot, heart related issues arise (indication of TTS), they typically manifest within two to three months.
He also mentioned that the risk is greatest following the first dosage and gets smaller after the second and third doses. In the event that difficulties arise, such as blood clots or heart-related issues (which are indications of TTS), they usually manifest within two to three months.
Dr. Gangakhedkar highlighted on the fact that the associated risks of the vaccine are minimal compared to its positive effects, which have saved millions of lives. He pointed out that during emergencies like pandemics, medicines or vaccines are approved based on risk and benefit analysis. When studies and experiments indicate a higher percentage of benefits, with rare or lower percentage risks, then such medicines or vaccines can be deemed acceptable.
In a recent interview with NDTV, the former chief scientist of World Health Organization stated about the Astrazeneca’s vaccine Covidshield (Manufactured by Serum Institute of India) cannot cause TTS in individuals who have taken vaccines 1 to 3 years ago.
When She was asked whether people who had received Covishield vaccine two years ago should be worried?” She replied “No, there is no need for those who have taken the vaccine in the past to be worried.”. She also elaborated that the side effects of AstraZeneca Vaccine have been informed since March 2021, very soon after the vaccine was administrated in large scale across the world. And there have been periodic updates on the complications of the Covishield vaccine.
She also added that Covid Shield vaccine could cause TTS but within 3 to 4 weeks of administration of the jab not afterwards. So, the individuals who took their vaccines one to three years ago, there is absolutely no need to worry.
In that interview she also stated that the covid 19 vaccine itself increases the risk of Thromboembolism (TTS) and in fact the chances to develop coagulation disorder or blood clot are much higher after a natural covid infection, especially in severe cases than with the vaccine. So, a lot of people get fixated on the side effects of vaccine when in reality, it is a covid infection that increases the risk of heart attacks, stroke, diabetes and a lot of other heath related issues.
In that same interview with NDTV when Dr. Shahid Jameelwas asked whether mRNA vaccines are safer than the Astrazeneca vaccine, he stated that there is no such evidence to say one vaccine is safer than other and he added that all the vaccines used during pandemic saved millions life and the benefits far outweigh the rare side effects.
Dr. Jameel also mentioned that people have to understand that nothing is 100 % effective and safe. Therefore, it is crucial that benefits far outweigh the risks. Further he stated whatever risk that Astrazeneca admitted can arise within 42 days of vaccination and in recent scenario most of the population is far away from this. Thus, vaccinated individuals who received the jabs not recently are far less likely to develop side effects. He also highlighted that globally, all vaccines have protected almost 14 to 20 million people from death, and in India about 3.6 million people have been saved.
Returning to last year a renowned Cardiologist Dr. Aseem Malhotra who has been asking for suspension of Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine for due to its potential to induce heart problems, stated that AstraZeneca ‘covid 19 vaccine in India, Covishield by SII ( Serum Institute of India) is even more worse. He claimed that it can cause cardiovascular problems such as heart attack, stroke and even death as well as severe blood clotting problems in both younger and older adults.
He raised question that why was AstraZeneca’s Covid 19 vaccine (Covishield in India) administered in India when various UK and European countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, Thailand, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. banned Astra Zeneca’s vaccine.
He also added that from post marketing pharmacovigilance data of UK after the Covishield vaccine is approved and rolled out, almost 10 percent of `9.7 million people faced adverse side effects.
He also added that many people have suffered vaccine induced injuries and even death. Therefore, in his opinion these individuals or their families should be compensated and an inquiry is necessary to determine who is liable and who is going to compensate them.
Families of affected individuals are pursuing legal actions against AstraZeneca and Serum Institute of India seeking compensation for damage from the side effect of covid shield.
To date 51 cases filed against AstraZeneca by affected individuals and their families in the British High Court. Additionally, parents of 8 victims from different parts of India have alleged SII (Serum Institute of India) for death of their children from vaccine side effects.
In April 2021 Jamie Scott, a citizen of UK started suffering from blood clot that led to brain damage after taking a jab of AstraZeneca vaccine. Action was taken under consumer protection act. And subsequently several families have claimed that AstraZeneca vaccine has injured them.
Jamie’s wife, Kate Scott told the BBC that Jamie had taken 250 rehabilitation sessions to restart his motor action. He even suffered from cognitive disabilities. She added that they need fair compensation for the damages caused by AstraZeneca vaccine.
In India, a similar incident happened with a 20-year-old girl Karunya Venugopal. She died just a month after of her Covishield jab. Her father Mr. Venugopalan Govindan, said that after admitting Karunya to the hospital, doctors suspected covid infection but the result was negative. She underwent several examinations, during which she could not swallow food, could not walk and suffered from high fever. After being hospitalised for weeks, she died due to multi system inflammatory syndrome. Her father also mentioned that she had not any pre existing health trouble before vaccination.
Karunya’s Parents approached the Supreme Court of India for monetary compensation. In 2022, the government told the apex court that government is not liable to provide compensation for death.
In another case in Hyderabad Rithaika Sri Omtri , a 18 year girl received her first dose in May 2021,and after five days of being vaccinated she started experiencing a prickling sensation and high fever and her platelet count dropped dangerously leading to brain haemorrhage.As per some reports she suffered from Vaccine Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT), characterised by blood clots and low platelet counts.
Karunya and Rithaika parents were first two petitioner approached the apex court in late 2021, alleged that their children died because of adverse side effects of Covishield vaccine. Karunya’s Parents approached the Supreme Court of India for monetary compensation. In 2022, it is informed to apex court that government is not liable to provide compensation for death.
In February 2024, AstraZeneca accepted that the Covishield side effect can cause a rare syndrome, Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia which can result in blood clot, low platelet counts etc. Now after AstraZeneca ‘s acceptance, the parents of those victims are strongly fighting against Serum Institute of India, Pune. They are demanding SII and the government be penalised for their loss.