Blood clots linked with Covid-19 are very rare: Study

A research team led by Dr Sue Pavord of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust revealed that the very rare blood clots that can be caused by the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine can be aggressive and deadly but is very rare.

The study examined vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT).

“It’s important to stress that this kind of reaction to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is very rare,” said Dr Pavord.

“In those aged under 50, incidence is around one in 50,000 people who have received the vaccine. But our study shows that for those who develop VITT, it can be devastating: it often affects young, otherwise healthy vaccine recipients and has high mortality. It is particularly dangerous when the patient has a low platelet count and bleeding in the brain,” she said.

VITT is a new thrombotic syndrome associated with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination, the Oxford University’s Covid-19 vaccine being produced as Covishield in India.

“VITT is a very new syndrome, and we are still working out what the most effective treatment is, but identifying prognostic markers has helped to determine what is the more effective way to manage the condition. For example, we have adapted our treatments for patients with the most severe disease, to include plasma exchange with some success,” said Dr Pavord.

“We have worked relentlessly to understand and manage this new condition, so that the hugely successful vaccine roll out can continue, which is the most viable solution to the global pandemic,” she added.