AstraZeneca, a big company that made a COVID vaccine called Covishield, admitted that there might be some rare side effects with it. Some people are saying it caused deaths, and they're suing the company in the UK. Covishield, developed by AstraZeneca and produced by the Serum Institute of India, has been widely administered in India as part of the nation's vaccination drive against COVID-19.

In court documents related to the ongoing lawsuit, AstraZeneca has conceded that Covishield can, in very rare cases, result in Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).

Understanding TTS: A Rare but Serious Condition

Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) is a rare yet severe condition characterized by the formation of blood clots coupled with low platelet counts. This syndrome often presents with symptoms such as severe headaches, abdominal pain, leg swelling, shortness of breath, and neurological deficits.

WHO's Statement on TTS and COVID Vaccines

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized TTS as an emerging adverse event following immunization, particularly in individuals vaccinated with COVID-19 non-replicant adenovirus vector-based vaccines. This includes AstraZeneca's COVID-19 ChAdOx-1 vaccine and the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 Ad26.COV2-S vaccine.

Expert Insights and Guidance

Medical experts emphasize the importance of prompt recognition and management of TTS due to its potential for severe complications, including organ damage and death. While COVID vaccines have played a crucial role in preventing numerous deaths, reports of rare but serious immune-mediated events like TTS have also surfaced.

WHO's Interim Emergency Guidance

In response to the emergence of TTS as a concern, WHO has issued interim emergency guidance to increase awareness among healthcare providers about TTS in the context of COVID-19 vaccination. This guidance aims to assist healthcare professionals in the assessment and management of potential TTS cases.

AstraZeneca said Covishield might have rare side effects. This shows why we need to keep watching and studying COVID vaccines to make sure they're safe. It is really important to stay careful and honest about any bad things that might happen from vaccines as more people get them around the world.