Covishield, the Covid-19 vaccine that was administered to millions across the world, can lead to a rare but serious side-effect, its manufacturer admitted in a US Court.
AstraZeneca, the British pharmaceutical giant behind the widely used Covishield vaccine, recently admitted in the court that the vaccine can cause, “in rare cases”, a condition that leads to blood clots and low platelet count.
The company admitted that “in very rare cases, vaccine cause TTS” (Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome) which causes blood clots and a low blood platelet count in humans, the international press reported on Monday.
The admission from AstraZeneca comes amidst mounting legal action in the UK, where several individuals have filed lawsuits alleging that Covishield led to untimely deaths and severe injuries.
These lawsuits collectively seek compensations reaching up to 100 million pounds, underscoring the gravity of the claims against the pharmaceutical giant.
Among the plaintiffs is Jamie Scott, who became the first to take legal action against the vaccine manufacturer, a British news publication reported.
Scott recounted a harrowing experience, claiming that he suffered a blood clot in his brain shortly after receiving the Covishield vaccine in April 2021, resulting in a permanent brain injury.
His livelihood was significantly impacted, rendering him unable to work, and his wife was reportedly informed by hospital staff on multiple occasions that his condition was dire.
While AstraZeneca has contested these allegations, it conceded in court documents submitted in February that Covishield can, in very rare cases, lead to TTS.
TTS, according to reports, can occur independently of the AstraZeneca vaccine or any vaccine, although the causal mechanism remains unidentified.
The company stressed that determining causation in individual cases would necessitate expert evidence.
The acknowledgment by AstraZeneca regarding the potential side-effects of Covishield adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate surrounding Covid-19 vaccination safety, raising important questions about risk assessment and public health policy.
