The UK pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has acknowledged, according to a report by The Telegraph, the potential for its COVID-19 vaccine, which was utilized in India under the name Covishield, to cause a rare side effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS). The vaccine was developed by AstraZeneca in collaboration with Oxford University during the pandemic and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, Pune.
What is TTS and its Symptoms?
Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) is a rare yet serious condition associated with certain COVID-19 vaccines, particularly adenovirus vector vaccines like AstraZeneca.
TTS is characterized by the presence of blood clots (thrombosis) accompanied by low levels of platelets (thrombocytopenia), which are essential for blood clotting. It often involves unusual clot locations, such as in the brain (cerebral venous sinus thrombosis) or abdomen.
Symptoms of TTS may include severe or persistent headaches, blurred vision, shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling, persistent abdominal pain, and easy bruising or tiny blood spots under the skin, beyond the injection site.”
Background – ‘Covishield’ Covid-19 Vaccine in India
On March 25, 2020, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation, announcing a sudden nationwide lockdown effective from 12 AM for 21 days. This decision, made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, led to scenes of chaos and hardship, particularly among the country’s vast population of 1.4 billion. The lockdown, initially intended for 21 days, extended through seven phases until June 15, 2021, with distressing images emerging of laborers, women, and children undertaking arduous journeys, such as from Mumbai to Bihar and UP.
In April 2020, India unveiled Covishield, the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Developed by AstraZeneca in collaboration with the University of Oxford, the AZD1222 vaccine was manufactured and distributed as “Covishield” by the Serum Institute of India (SII) for India and other low- and middle-income countries.
Vaccine Rollout and Pricing:
Approximately 80 crore Indians have received two or more doses of the Covishield Covid-19 vaccine. However, the cost of vaccines in the private sector skyrocketed, with prices ranging from Rs 700-900, up from Rs 250. This significant price increase raises questions about profits earned by private hospitals and intermediaries involved in vaccine distribution.
Adar Poonawalla CEO of Serum Institute moved to London
In May 2021, Adar Poonawalla moved to London, said at that time, ‘I’m staying here (London) for an extended time because I don’t want to go back to that situation… Everything falls on my shoulders, but I can’t do it alone… I don’t want to be in a situation where you are just trying to do your job, and just because you can’t supply the needs of X, Y, or Z, you really don’t want to guess what they are going to do.’ Adar Poonawalla never actually revealed who those powerful people were who were threatening him.
Other than that, in August 2023, we saw Adar Poonawalla meeting PM Modi and saying, ‘Delighted to have met PM, Shri Narendra Modi Ji. Congratulated him for his remarkable leadership and success in the fight against COVID-19. As an entrepreneur, I find his commitment to reforms, social welfare, and vision for Aatmanirbhar Bharat very assuring“. Not only this, we have seen him accepting an invitation from RSS for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Celebration.
Legal Action Against AstraZeneca:
AstraZeneca faced legal action in Britain as it admitted in court documents in February 2024 that its Covid vaccine could cause Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) in very rare cases. Despite AstraZeneca’s denial of defective efficacy claims, 51 cases were filed in Britain’s High Court, seeking damages estimated up to £100 million (INR 895 Crores Approx). The first case was lodged in 2023 by Jamie Scott, who developed a permanent brain injury after receiving the vaccine.
BJP’s Connection with Serum Institute of India:
Serum Institute of India donated ₹50.25 Crores to BJP through Electoral Bonds. Electoral Bonds, however, were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of India, raising questions about the transparency and legality of political donations.
Conclusion:
The sequence of events surrounding Covishield raises concerns about the decision-making process and transparency in India’s vaccination campaign. The rapid rollout and subsequent legal challenges highlight the complexities and risks associated with vaccine distribution. The connection between political donations and vaccine manufacturers adds another layer to the debate surrounding accountability and public health governance. Ultimately, addressing these issues requires a thorough examination of government policies and regulatory frameworks to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens.