Should I be worried if I have taken AstraZeneca's Covishield?
AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical company behind the Covishield COVID-19 vaccine, recently acknowledged the potential risk of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) as a side effect. This revelation has sparked a flurry of debates on social media concerning the safety of the vaccine. In India, AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield, is manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII). Accusations have now been leveled against the Indian government for allegedly compromising public health by approving Covishield due to its supposed risk of TTS.
TTS risk with Covishield: A closer look
The debate has gained momentum after the parents of a woman who died after taking Covishield started legal proceedings against SII. Venugopalan Govindan, Karunya's father who died in July 2021, claimed AstraZeneca's acknowledgment came "too late." This begs the question of whether people should be concerned if they have had the Covishield vaccine. Yes, to a certain degree. Covishield is the most commonly used vaccine in India, but instances of TTS have been minimal.
Covishield in India
An investigation by The Healthy Indian Project (THIP) has revealed that while TTS is indeed a potential risk associated with Covishield, it's extremely rare. TTS is a serious condition characterized by a low platelet count and blood clot formation, with symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, headaches, and easy bruising. Claims suggesting that all Indians are at immediate risk from TTS due to government negligence are grossly exaggerated and misleading.
Covishield and TTS: A global perspective
In fact, TTS isn't exclusive to AstraZeneca's vaccine; Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine also carries this risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that "like any medicine, vaccines can cause side effects. However, these are usually very minor...such as a sore arm or a mild fever. More serious side effects are possible but extremely rare."
Medical advice on TTS symptoms post-vaccination
Dr. Jayadevan, Co-Chairman of the National Indian Medical Association (IMA) Covid Task Force in Kerala, also echoed similar views, stating that TTS is "a rare occurrence following specific types of vaccines and other causes." He further recommended vigilance and seeking medical advice if TTS symptoms are experienced. Notably, amid the row Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo was removed from COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare amid the COVID-19 vaccine scare.
