TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: The pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is being sued in a class action over claims that its vaccine against Covid-19, developed with the University of Oxford, caused death and serious injury, including TTS — Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome — which causes people to have blood clots and a low blood platelet count.
EXPLANATION:
- The legal action, involving 51 cases in the High Court, seeks damages estimated to be up to £100 million.
- The first case, initiated by Jamie Scott in 2023, highlights the severity of the situation, with victims and their families seeking justice for the adverse effects experienced after receiving the vaccine.
AstraZeneca’s Admission and Response:
- While AstraZeneca is contesting the claims, it admitted in court documents submitted to the High Court in February that its vaccine can cause TTS in very rare cases.
- This acknowledgment marks a significant development in the legal proceedings, indicating a shift in AstraZeneca’s stance on the vaccine’s potential side effects.
- However, the company maintains its position on the vaccine’s efficacy and denies the allegations of defects and overstatement of efficacy.
Impact on Affected Individuals and Families:
- Victims and their families affected by the adverse effects of the Covishield vaccine express frustration over the delayed acknowledgment by AstraZeneca.
- The need for accountability, fair compensation, and swift resolution of the issue have been emphasized.
- The prolonged legal battle underscores the emotional and financial toll on those affected, who seek closure and restitution for their suffering.
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
- The legal claims against AstraZeneca raise questions about patient safety, accountability, and corporate responsibility in the development and distribution of vaccines.
- The role of regulatory authorities in ensuring stringent standards for vaccine safety is scrutinized, highlighting the complexities of balancing public health interests with individual rights and concerns.
AstraZeneca Covishield:
- The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, also known as Covishield, is a viral vector vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca.
- It is marketed under the brand name Covishield by the Serum Institute of India and has been widely administered in the country.
- The vaccine has been associated with rare cases of unusual blood clots with low blood platelets, particularly in women under the age of 60.
- Despite these rare side effects, regulatory agencies emphasize that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing COVID-19 and reducing severe illness and death outweigh the risks.
- The vaccine is typically administered in two doses, with the second dose given between 4 and 12 weeks after the first dose, except in specific circumstances where major thrombosis with thrombocytopenia has occurred or for individuals under 40 without underlying health conditions who may be offered an alternative vaccine based on national guidelines.
Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome:
- Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) is a rare condition characterized by the formation of blood clots (thrombosis) combined with low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia).
- This syndrome has been associated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, particularly in rare cases where individuals develop unusual blood clots with low platelets after vaccination.
- Symptoms of TTS can affect various parts of the body, including the brain, leading to severe and persistent headaches, blurred vision, difficulty speaking, seizures, and confusion.
- Other symptoms may involve difficulty breathing, chest pain, leg swelling, abdominal pain, and tiny blood spots under the skin.
- Treatment for TTS typically includes anticoagulant medications, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and high-dose steroids.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial due to the potential rapid deterioration of patients with TTS.