The AstraZeneca vaccine is one of the vaccines used to prevent COVID-19 infection. This vaccine is believed to have a 72% effectiveness against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections. This vaccination is given in two doses intramuscularly at intervals of 8–12 weeks.
The side effects of the Astrazeneca vaccine: what you should know
Generally, the AstraZeneca vaccination has minor, temporary adverse effects, including:
- Localized discomfort at the site of injection
- Feeling ill or sick
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Nauseous
- Joint and muscle pain
Remember that these types of adverse effects are a typical physiological response to the vaccination. Typically, minor adverse effects resolve within a few days following vaccination.
Correlation between Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) and AstraZeneca vaccine
Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) is considered an uncommon adverse reaction associated with the AstraZeneca vaccination. What exactly is TTS?
Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or TTS for short, is an extremely rare condition in which a patient experiences a decreased platelet count (thrombocytopenia) along with abnormal blood clotting (thrombosis).
Thrombosis refers to the development of blood clots within blood vessels, which can lead to the blockage of regular blood circulation. Thrombosis can manifest in different locations, including the lower extremity blood vessels, lung blood vessels, or brain blood vessels.
Thrombocytopenia is a pathological state characterized by an extremely reduced platelet count in the blood. It results from either abnormally rapid platelet destruction or insufficient platelet production in the bone marrow. Platelets are a critical component in the process of blood clotting and are microscopic blood cells. They assist in the formation of blood clots, which halt the bleeding of wounds and injuries.
As a result of TTS, blood clots may form in the lungs, brain, intestines, deep veins, and arteries, among other locations.
The precise mechanisms underlying the occurrence of TTS side effects remain incompletely understood. This disorder is considered to resemble heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), an uncommon platelet-affecting reaction to the medication heparin.
Do all AstraZeneca vaccine recipients experience TTS?
Not every recipient of an AstraZeneca vaccination experiences TTS. TTS is a very uncommon adverse effect.
Typically, symptoms of TTS manifest 4–42 days following the AstraZeneca vaccine. Experienced symptoms consist of:
Symptoms affecting the brain:
- Severe and persistent headaches
- Visual disturbances, such as blurred vision
- Impaired verbal communication
- Unconsciousness or cognitive disorientation
- Seizures
Systemic symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Ankle swelling
- Persistent stomachache
- Blood stains under the skin that may be distant from the injection location
Although TTS is curable, it often requires intensive treatment and constant observation. To reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system's reaction, people with TTS will typically get steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin infusions, and anticoagulants. Sometimes infusions of platelets are necessary. If you have any of the symptoms above, you should see a doctor to receive further evaluation and testing.
If you have any additional inquiries regarding the adverse effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine or issues related to blood coagulation, you can either visit a dentist or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- dr. Monica Salim
Health Direct (2023). Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/thrombosis-with-thrombocytopenia-syndrome-tts
WHO (2022). The Oxford/AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-S [recombinant] vaccine) COVID-19 vaccine: what you need to know. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-oxford-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-what-you-need-to-know
British Heart Foundation (2023). AstraZeneca Covid vaccine: safety and side effects. Available from: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health/astrazeneca-covid-vaccine
European Medicines Agency (2021). AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine: EMA finds possible link to very rare cases of unusual blood clots with low blood platelets. Available from: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/astrazenecas-covid-19-vaccine-ema-finds-possible-link-very-rare-cases-unusual-blood-clots-low-blood-platelets
John Hopkins Medicine. Thrombosis. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/thrombosis
Cleveland Clinic (2022). Thrombocytopenia. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14430-thrombocytopenia
