AstraZeneca Acknowledges 'Very Rare' Blood Clot Risk Caused By Its Covid Vaccine
AstraZeneca admits in court that its COVID vaccine can cause Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a rare side effect involving blood clots and low platelet count.
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has conceded in court documents for the first time that its Covid vaccine can lead to a rare side effect. The admission comes amid a class action lawsuit alleging that AstraZeneca's vaccine, developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford, has resulted in fatalities and serious injuries in numerous instances.
The lawsuit was initiated by Jamie Scott, a father of two, who suffered permanent brain damage after experiencing a blood clot and brain bleed following his vaccination in April 2021. AstraZeneca, however, is contesting the claims, according to UK-based The Daily Telegraph.
In a legal document submitted to the UK High Court in February, AstraZeneca acknowledged that its Covid vaccine "can, in very rare cases, cause TTS," referring to Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, a condition characterised by blood clots and low blood platelet count, The Daily Telegraph's report stated.
"The causal mechanism is not known," the filing stated. “Further, TTS can also occur in the absence of the AZ vaccine (or any vaccine). Causation in any individual case will be a matter for expert evidence.”
This admission follows extensive legal battles and could potentially lead to compensation payouts if it is determined that the vaccine was the direct cause of severe illness or death in specific cases. As many as 51 cases have been filed in the UK High Court, with victims and relatives demanding damages estimated to be worth up to £100 million.
AstraZeneca Covid Vaccine Linked To New Illness VITT In 2021
Scientists first found a connection between the vaccine and a new illness called vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT) as early as March 2021, shortly following the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, as per The Daily Telegraph's report.
Claimants lawyers contend that VITT is a subset of TTS, while AstraZeneca apparently has not recognised the term.
According to the report, Kate Scott, wife of Jamie Scott, expressed cautious optimism, stating, "The medical world has acknowledged for a long time that VITT was caused by the vaccine. It’s only AstraZeneca who have questioned whether Jamie’s condition was caused by the jab. It's taken three years for this admission to come. It's progress, but we would like to see more from them and the Government."
Sarah Moore, a partner at law firm Leigh Day, representing the claimants, criticised AstraZeneca's delayed acknowledgment, stating, "It has taken AstraZeneca a year to formally admit that their vaccine can cause the devastating blood clots", The Daily Telegraph reported.
AstraZeneca, however, maintains that patient safety remains its top priority and emphasises that regulatory authorities have stringent standards to ensure the safety of vaccines.
Independent studies have highlighted the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine in combating the pandemic, saving millions of lives globally. Nonetheless, concerns over rare adverse effects prompted regulatory authorities to recommend alternative vaccines for certain demographics, as per the report.
In the UK, official figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) suggest a link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and at least 81 deaths, with nearly one in five individuals affected succumbing to the condition, The Daily Telegraph reported.
While the Government operates a vaccine compensation scheme, alleged victims argue that the compensation offered is inadequate. AstraZeneca, as the second largest publicly listed company in the UK, faces mounting legal challenges over the safety of its vaccine.
Notably, AstraZeneca had partnered with Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, for the supply of the Covishield vaccine in India.
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