Covishield Side Effects: What's TTS syndrome, symptoms, and danger signs you shouldn't ignore

UK pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has acknowledged the potential for its COVID-19 vaccine to cause a rare side effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), as per a report by The Telegraph.

The vaccine, which was utilized in India under the name Covishield, was developed by AstraZeneca in collaboration with Oxford University during the pandemic and was manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.

What's TTS, Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome?

Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) is a rare yet serious condition linked to certain COVID-19 vaccines, notably adenovirus vector vaccines like AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine.

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TTS is marked by the presence of blood clots (thrombosis) along with low levels of platelets (thrombocytopenia), crucial for blood clotting. It often involves unusual clot locations, such as in the brain (cerebral venous sinus thrombosis) or abdomen.

TTS Symptoms

Symptoms may include severe or persistent headaches, blurred vision, shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling, persistent abdominal pain, and easy bruising or tiny blood spots under the skin beyond the injection site.

TTS Danger signs you should ignore

While TTS is rare, individuals who have received vaccines associated with TTS should be vigilant for symptoms and seek medical attention promptly if they experience any within a few weeks of vaccination. Early recognition and treatment are essential for managing TTS effectively.

"TTS, or thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, involves blood clots in the brain or other parts of the body, along with a low platelet count. It's a rare occurrence following specific types of vaccines and other causes," Dr. Jayadevan, Co-Chairman of the National Indian Medical Association (IMA) Covid Task Force in Kerala, told ANI.

Dr. Jayadevan emphasized the importance of awareness, stating, "While Covid vaccines have undoubtedly saved lives, reports of these extremely rare but potentially serious immune-mediated events have also been documented in reputable journals."

AstraZeneca's Statement

A report from The Telegraph revealed AstraZeneca's admission regarding the potential for its COVID-19 vaccine to lead to TTS. The vaccine, marketed worldwide under various names including Covishield and Vaxzevria, was produced by the Serum Institute of India. Unlike mRNA vaccines, Covishield is based on the viral vector platform, utilizing a modified chimpanzee adenovirus to deliver the COVID-19 spike protein into human cells.

A 2023 report from yalemedicine.org highlighted the danger of blood clots, particularly when they develop within blood vessels, causing thrombosis. Yale Medicine hematologist Robert Bona, MD, explained, "Those clots typically occur in individuals who are bedridden, hospitalized, or have other medical issues related to inflammation, infection, or cancer."

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2023 that TTS emerged as a new adverse event following immunization in individuals vaccinated with COVID-19 non-replicant adenovirus vector-based vaccines, including the AstraZeneca COVID-19 ChAdOx-1 vaccine and the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Janssen COVID-19 Ad26.COV2-S vaccines.

( Originally published on Apr 30, 2024 )