Potential Risks and Reactions
Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar, a former scientist at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has clarified that a small percentage of individuals may experience potential risks associated with the Covishield Covid-19 vaccine.
He explained that approximately seven to eight individuals per million recipients of the Covishield vaccine might face the possibility of experiencing a rare side effect known as Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS). This risk is highest after the initial dose and decreases with subsequent doses.
Dr. Gangakhedkar emphasized that adverse reactions are likely to manifest within the initial two to three months following vaccination. However, considering the significant benefits of the vaccine for millions of recipients, he stressed that the associated risk remains minimal.
AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical company behind Covishield, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, recently acknowledged in UK court documents that the vaccine could potentially lead to TTS, a condition characterized by blood clots and low platelet levels.
This news comes after the parents of a woman who died after receiving the Covishield vaccine announced their intention to file a case against the Serum Institute of India (SII), the Indian company that manufactures the Covid-19 inoculation for UK's AstraZeneca.
The father of the deceased woman, Venugopalan Govindan, expressed his disappointment with AstraZeneca's delayed acknowledgement of the potential side effects, stating that the company should have halted production and supply of the vaccine when European countries suspended or age-limited its use due to blood clot deaths in March 2021.
AstraZeneca responded with a statement expressing their sympathy for those who have lost loved ones or experienced health problems. They reiterated their commitment to patient safety and emphasized that regulatory authorities have stringent standards to ensure the safe use of all medicines, including vaccines.
The news has also sparked political reactions, with the Samajwadi Party and the RJD accusing the BJP-led government of taking a "commission" from the vaccine manufacturer and administering the "wrong" vaccine to the country's people.
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj urged the central government to take prompt action in addressing the vaccine's alleged adverse effects.