Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) is a rare condition that can lead to blood clots and a low platelet count. A vaccine known as Vaxzevria, developed in partnership with Oxford University, has been withdrawn from use in the European Union by AstraZeneca due to it being outdated and newer alternatives being available to combat different variants of the virus.
In the UK, there is a class action lawsuit against AstraZeneca by more than 50 alleged victims and their relatives claiming that the vaccine has caused serious injuries and even death in some cases. According to court documents from February, the vaccine can cause TTS in very rare cases. However, AstraZeneca argued that TTS can also occur without the vaccine and that a causal link would need to be proven in each individual case.
Reports suggest that at least 81 deaths in the UK are suspected to be linked to TTS and hundreds of serious injuries. Despite this, independent studies have shown that the vaccine may have saved over 6 million lives worldwide in its first year of use. In Belgium, two deaths related to TTS after receiving COVID-19 vaccinations were reported in January 2022.
AstraZeneca stated that the withdrawal of the vaccine was a commercial decision based on its outdated nature and newer alternatives being available to combat different variants of the virus. The company had previously updated product information in April 2021 to include potential for rare side effects such as TTS.
AstraZeneca maintains that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks of rare side effects as affirmed by regulators worldwide. Both clinical trials and real-world data demonstrate acceptable safety profiles for Vaxzevria. The company believes that withdrawing Vaxzevria will not significantly affect current efforts to combat COVID-19 since newer alternatives are now available.
Overall, while there are concerns about rare side effects such as TTS associated with Vaxzevria, AstraZeneca believes that its benefits far outweigh any risks involved.
