The COVID-19 pandemic was a tough time for all of us, as we lost someone close to us or someone whom we knew. 2020, 2021, and 2022 were filled with deaths and illnesses due to the coronavirus. The research and development for COVID-19 vaccines were taking place and by the end of 2021, the world saw the first vaccine rollout and Covishield was a major one made by AstraZeneca. 

But recently, AstraZeneca admitted that the Covishield vaccine has some rare side effects that might occur after taking the vaccine. Let’s go ahead and learn more about the situation. 

What Is the Covishield Vaccine?

Covishield is a vaccine against COVID-19 that has been made by AstraZeneca in association with the University of Oxford. A virus vector vaccine is used, which makes use of an inoffensive adenovirus acting as a vector for carrying genetic material derived from the virus SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19. It tells the cells to produce a spike protein that resembles that of the virus SARS-CoV-2 on the outside, thus causing an immune reaction.

Covishield is given using two injections, which have a time gap of 3 months. An important thing that makes the Covishield unique is that, unlike certain other COVID-19 vaccines, its storage needs are quite friendly. This means that it can be stored and moved around at the usual refrigerator temperatures (2–8 degrees Celsius), which is important in places that do not have much cold chain infrastructure.

AstraZeneca Admits Covishield Vaccine Side Effects

AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical giant that manufactures the Covishield vaccine, has now admitted that there are side effects that may be associated with its own vaccine for the COVID-19 virus. This revelation is coming when there is a lot of worry around Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a rare yet life-threatening disorder caused by clots, in connection with this immunization effort.

One cannot exaggerate how scarce TTS is, as it is a very rare disorder. The chances might be as low as 0.002%, or one in 50 000 people and this makes it look like it’s not of significance numerically speaking. However, during massive immunisation drives, any adverse event, no matter how small or common, can turn out to be scary. Infectious diseases specialists like Dr. Ishwar Gilada and Rajeev Jayadevan have equally been plain about how important TTS is in advising vigilance, although it is infrequent.

The Covishield vaccine works through a method that is important in explaining why TTS is risky. By using a modified chimpanzee adenovirus as a vector, the vaccine introduces genetic material from the SARS-CoV-2 virus into the body to stimulate an immune reaction. Nevertheless, in unusual cases, adenovirus vector utilization might stimulate an atypical immune response that may result in blood clot formation or reduced platelet numbers, a feature that defines the TTS.

The public health implications are significant since over 90% of the population in India has been vaccinated with Covishield. Experts say that vaccination is more beneficial when compared to the associated risks for the majority. But the findings of TTS indicate how crucial stringent safety measures in monitoring vaccines can be. Dr. Gilada and Dr. Jayadevan addressed issues of vaccine safety, emphasising the need for caution.

Should You Worry About the Side Effects of the Covishield Vaccine?

People can worry greatly when it comes to the side effects associated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, especially thrombosis thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). However, this worry might be unnecessary after all. It’s worth noting that TTS is very uncommonly found, with an incidence rate of 1 in every 50,000 vaccinated individuals. 

On the other hand, for most individuals, getting rid of concerns about the risks related to receiving the vaccine far outweighs not doing so because it is the best way they know how to protect them from death and severe illness as a result of COVID-19.

To Summarise

AstraZeneca has revealed the side effects of the Covishield vaccine for COVID-19, especially TTS, that can happen in rare cases. Expert doctors across the world have advised everyone to take precautions and not panic about the side effects. The side effects occur in a rare event, which is 1 in 50,000, so there is nothing much to worry about. 

But the vaccine manufacturer is facing a criminal lawsuit linked to the deaths of 51 people in a UK court. Time will reveal the truth, as the proceedings will take place soon in the month of May. 

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