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AstraZeneca (AZ), the maker of the Covishield vaccine, has announced the withdrawal of its Covid-19 vaccine due to the ‘overabundance of updated vaccines available’ since the pandemic began. “As multiple types of COVID-19 vaccines have been developed, there is a glut of updated vaccines available,” the company said, adding that this has led to a decline in demand for Vaxjavria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied . The pharmaceutical giant recently admitted that its Covid vaccine, sold under the brand name Covishield in India, may cause blood clot-related side effects, according to court documents being quoted in UK media. (Also read: New Covid variant FLiRT spreads in US; do we need to worry? From symptoms to precautions, all you need to know)
The admission was made in a legal document submitted to the High Court in London in February for a group action by 51 claimants, according to media reports. Since this revelation, people who have taken the Covishield vaccine in the past have expressed concerns about its side effects on health and thrombosis, a rare condition associated with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).
Should those taking Covishield be concerned about possible underlying effects of the vaccine on health? We asked some experts.
Rely on guidance from health officials
“The decision to withdraw Covishield, which is the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, will depend on the reasons behind the withdrawal. If it is due to concerns about safety or efficacy, it is natural for people to be concerned However, it is necessary to rely on the guidance of health authorities and experts who comprehensively evaluate the data,” says Dr Rahul Agarwal Consultant Internal Medicine Care Hospitals Banjara Hills Hyderabad.
“If AstraZeneca or any other vaccine is removed from circulation, it is generally due to concerns about safety or effectiveness that have been identified through ongoing monitoring and evaluation processes. In such cases, the public It is important for health officials to communicate transparently about the reasons for the withdrawal and provide guidance to healthcare providers and the public on next steps,” experts say.
“It is important to note that all vaccines, like any medical intervention, may have side effects, but these generally outweigh the benefits of vaccination, especially in terms of preventing severe disease and death from Covid-19. Health authorities generally conduct thorough evaluation of vaccines to ensure their safety and efficacy, and any decision to withdraw a vaccine is made based on a careful assessment of the available data,” Agarwal says. Are.
“If you are concerned about the safety of a vaccine, it is best to consult health care professionals who can provide personalized advice based on your individual health circumstances and the latest available information,” he advises.
Dr Visvesvaran Balasubramaniam, consultant in interventional pulmonology and sleep medicine, explained in detail the possible side effects of the vaccine, assuring that they are very rare. However, one should be alert to red flags.
“Vaccine-induced thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) is an extreme immunological response that occurs following COVID-19 vaccination. It was initially thought to be associated with viral-vector-based vaccines such as Johnson & Johnson/Janssen and AstraZeneca-Oxford , But it was found that the side effect of Covishield vaccine can also be seen by activating platelets and coagulation system and may lead to venous or arterial thrombosis and in some circumstances secondary bleeding,” says Dr Balasubramaniam. .
Worsening headache, visual disturbances: understanding the red flags
“The incidence of TTS among vaccine recipients also appears to be higher among younger individuals and first dose recipients and may manifest as clots in unusual locations and sometimes accompanied by bleeding. Visual disturbances such as focal neurological In addition to the symptoms, persistent and progressively worsening headache has been described as an early red flag in patients with suspected VITT, says Dr. Balasubramaniam.
blood clotting in unusual places
Most of these patients develop thrombosis in the lower extremities and lungs, but clots also form at unusual sites, including blood vessels supplying the abdomen such as the splenic, portal or mesenteric, adrenal, cerebral, and even ophthalmic veins. Can develop. Blood tests for evaluation may suggest low platelet count, elevated D-dimer, and elevated anti-platelet factor-4 antibodies.
Continuous monitoring of the patient and timely symptomatic intervention, which may be medical or surgical, are important to ensure patient survival.
However, Dr. Balasubramaniam says there is no need to panic as this side effect is rare and does not affect everyone who takes the vaccine. He recommends staying alert for any noticeable symptoms.
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