Why Covishield Side-Effects Were Lowest In India Versus Globally; Top Govt Official Explains

By OB Bureau On May 9, 2024

TTS Due To Covishield Not Found In Odisha: Health Director — Picture courtesy Twitter

New Delhi: Amid AstraZeneca announcing that it has started the global withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine, a top government official involved in the national roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination has clarified that AstraZeneca’s vaccine has demonstrated the lowest incidence of side effects in India compared to the global average

The official told News18 on request of anonymity that India had reported around 80,000 adverse events from Covishield out of a staggering 180 crore doses administered. However, he said, 98 per cent of these events included mild local reactions such as fever, swelling on site of injection or pain.

“But only around 50 cases witnessed Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) — a rare side effect caused by the jab — of the 180 crore doses administered against 4 to 10 cases (out of every 10 lakh doses) globally,” he said, adding, “Roughly, the chances of TTS stood at 0.000003 per cent with Covishield in India whereas globally, the risk stood at 0.0004 per cent.”

Earlier, the Anlgo-Swedish drugmaker had admitted that its vaccine has the potential to cause a rare side effect called TTS, a blood disorder characterised by blood clots forming in small blood vessels throughout the body. Thrombocytopenia refers to a low platelet count in the blood.

AstraZeneca’s vaccine, known as Vaxzevria globally, was manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) in India and sold under the brand name Covishield.

The official clarified that “the vaccine does not exhibit any long-term effects on the human body”. If such a side effect were to occur, it would most likely manifest during the initial dose, he was quoted as saying.

“However, if it has not occurred by then, it is improbable to arise later, ensuring your safety,” the official told News18, adding: “There is no reason to doubt the efficacy of the vaccine or anticipate any adverse events in the future.”

Explaining why the incidence of side effects was low in India, the official added that “the genetic makeup of people from South Asia (South Asians) makes them less likely to develop thrombotic and thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) compared to other populations”.

On under-reporting being the probable cause of the lower rate of side-effects, the officer added: “In general, the advantages of vaccination far outweigh the minimal risk of harm. Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, India has been consistently monitoring the emerging signs of harm.”