Thrombosis and Thrombocytopenia Syndrome

• Context (IE): AstraZeneca has withdrawn its Covid vaccine from the global market.
• Reason Stated for the withdrawal: There is a surplus of updated vaccines targeting new virus variants.
• Studies reveal rare side effects like thrombosis and thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Thrombosis

Credit: Cleveland Clinic

• It happens when blood clots obstruct blood vessels, and there are two primary types.
• Venous thrombosis: This occurs when a blood clot blocks a vein.
  • Veins transport blood from the body back to the heart.
• Arterial thrombosis: This occurs when a blood clot obstructs an artery.
  • Artery carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body.

Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS)

• It occurs when a person has blood clots together with a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).
• Symptoms occurred between 4 and 42 days after vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine.