– AstraZeneca acknowledges rare risk: AstraZeneca, manufacturer of Covishield, has acknowledged that its vaccine could lead to a rare condition called Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), characterized by low platelet levels and blood clot formation, in very rare cases.

– Legal implications: AstraZeneca made this submission in response to a lawsuit in the UK where concerns over health issues related to the vaccine were raised.

– Symptoms of TTS: Symptoms of TTS include breathlessness, chest or limb pain, red spots or bruising beyond the injection site, headaches, and numbness. TTS can potentially lead to severe complications such as stroke or heart attack due to blood flow restrictions caused by clotting.

– Previous concerns: Concerns over TTS and AstraZeneca's vaccines have been raised earlier, prompting temporary pauses in vaccine use in several European countries.

– Indian context: India also issued caution regarding Covishield administration to individuals with thrombocytopenia. Despite some reported cases of thromboembolic events, the Indian government emphasized the vaccine's overall positive benefit-risk profile.

– WHO's perspective: The WHO has acknowledged the rare risk of TTS associated with Covishield but emphasized that the overall risk remains low, especially in comparison to the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 infections and deaths.

– Unique Indian data: India reported a low incidence of potential thromboembolic events associated with Covishield administration, further supporting the vaccine's safety profile in the Indian population.

– Covaxin comparison: Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, India's indigenous vaccine, did not report any thromboembolic events, providing additional reassurance regarding its safety.

– WHO classification: In 2023, the WHO included vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) within the classification of TTS, further highlighting the global recognition and understanding of these rare vaccine-related risks.