AstraZeneca Covid vaccine tied to new fatal clotting disorder

In a recent development, researchers have highlighted a significant risk associated with the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, particularly concerning a rare but potentially fatal condition known as vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT). This concern has emerged alongside the widespread administration of the vaccine, notably branded as Covishield in India and Vaxzevria in Europe, during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.

The key culprit behind VITT appears to be an uncommon autoimmune response triggered by antibodies targeting a protein called platelet factor 4 (PF4). This alarming discovery has prompted further investigations into similar disorders associated with adenovirus infections, such as the common cold. Remarkably, separate studies conducted in 2023 by scientists from various countries revealed a strikingly similar disorder linked to the same PF4 antibody, often proving fatal following natural adenovirus infections.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel 

The latest research, spearheaded by Flinders University in Australia alongside international collaborators, has shed light on the molecular similarities between PF4 antibodies in VITT cases related to adenovirus infections and those induced by the AstraZeneca vaccine. Professor Tom Gordon from Flinders University emphasized the profound implications of these findings, stressing the need to extrapolate lessons learned from VITT to address rare instances of blood clotting after adenovirus infections and to enhance vaccine safety protocols.

Notably, previous research by the same team, dating back to 2022, had made significant strides in unraveling the molecular intricacies of PF4 antibodies, thereby identifying crucial genetic risk factors. The culmination of these efforts has been documented in the New England Journal of Medicine, underscoring the critical importance of enhancing vaccine safety measures and fostering a deeper understanding of autoimmune responses triggered by vaccination.

These revelations come in the wake of AstraZeneca's acknowledgment, as stipulated in a legal document submitted to the High Court in February, regarding the potential for its Covid-19 vaccine to cause Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Syndrome (TTS) in exceedingly rare cases. TTS, characterized by blood clots and a decreased platelet count, has been implicated in numerous fatalities and severe injuries, prompting the voluntary withdrawal of the vaccine's marketing authorization from several global markets, including Europe.