Department allays fear of Covishield side-effect
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 02 2024: Police arrested one Laishram Bidyananda (30) also known as Kangleipak Hulk for uploading a post on social media about the rare side-effect of Covishield, a Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and produced in India in collaboration with Serum Institute of India.

Imphal police station registered a case against the person, who reportedly shared on his social media account that Covishield causes Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) or Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a rare side-effect leading to blood clot.

He was produced before the chief judicial magistrate Imphal West and released on bail.

On the other hand, a statement issued by Health Services director informed that vaccination is always lifesaving and any vaccine, including Covid vaccine, like any other medicine may have some side effects but most of them are negligible.

When the benefits far outweigh the risk, these vaccines are introduced into clinical practice, globally.

Of all the rare side effects, TTS/TTP is one of them.

An advisory issued by the Ministry of Health on May 17, 2021 regarding Covishield vaccine for Covid-19, already informed about TTS/TTP.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) had also acknowledged this concern in 2023 .

The incidence of TTS/TTP is reported as 0.61 per million dose/vaccination (6 in One Crore dose/vaccination), which is very rare.

Moreover, any medicine including Paracetamol can even cause side effects.

This very rare incidence of TTS/TTP, if occurs, usually manifests within 20 days of vaccination.

No long-term occurrence after months of vaccination has ever been reported in the scientific world, the statement said.

"The diagnosis of TTS/TTP requires a detailed history, examination and routine investigation like CBC.

Only when the symptoms are suggestive of TTS/TTP, the patient may show thrombocytopenia.

D Dimer, USG Leg is only indicated when there is swelling of one leg.

This particular test D-DIMER or USG leg is not at all diagnostic for TTS/TTP," the statement said.

"There is no single investigational test which can diagnose a condition, and D-Di-mer is one of them, " the statement said and advised that one should only go for a test after the advice of a specialist, who decides after proper clinical evaluation.

It also urged the people to not fall for hearsay and false in information.

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