Understanding Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a rare condition linked to AstraZeneca’s Covishield vaccine

Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) is a rare condition in which blood clots form in unusual places in the body, and the number of platelets in the blood drops. Platelets are small cells that help blood to clot, so having too few of them can be dangerous. TTS seems to occur because the body’s immune system reacts to the vaccine by making antibodies that attack a protein involved in blood clotting.

TTS is classified into 2 tiers by the CDC. Tier 1 cases are usually more severe and riskier. This is more common in younger people.

Low platelet count (below 150,000 per microliter) and a positive anti-PF4 ELISA test are necessary for diagnosis. Positive anti-PF4 ELISA tests can help confirm diagnosis but aren’t always needed. This acknowledgement follows a lawsuit filed against the company, alleging serious harm and deaths linked to the vaccine.

According to court documents, Covishield, a vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, can, in rare instances, lead to this condition. This vaccine was extensively administered throughout India during the Covid-19 pandemic. The condition was observed in people who received adenoviral vector COVID-19 vaccines, such as Vaxzevria, Covishield (AstraZeneca) and the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.