Some cases of clots post Covishield found | Economic Times

The government panel investigating serious adverse events arising from Covid vaccinations has found a "few cases" of blood clots following the administration of Covishield vaccines in India and is set to issue an advisory soon.While the advisory will tell recipients to watch out for certain symptoms for at least 28 days after taking the jab, experts say blood clots caused by Covid-19 vaccines are rare and benefits of vaccines outweigh the risk. The National Committee on Serious Adverse Events Following Immunization in India has found a link between Covid-19 vaccination and rare blood clots, a senior government official said. “There have been very few cases in India, almost one tenth of what Europe is reporting. But there is a need to be watchful and hence a special advisory for beneficiaries will be out soon,” he said.82697254 The symptoms that beneficiaries will have to watch out for include unbearable headache, with or without vomiting, seizures; abdominal pain, with or without vomiting; and severe shortness of breath. “People who get the vaccine should be aware about these symptoms. People who develop any of these symptoms after vaccination should contact their doctor or seek urgent medical care,” said the government official.In India, these events have been seen to occur after 72 hours. “We have seen self reporting for the first 72 hours. Through this advisory we are saying that beneficiaries should have to keep a watch for 28 days after the administration of the vaccine,” added the official.India has so far reviewed over 700 severe and serious adverse events reported from all over the country, following global concerns over rare blood clots after administration of Covid-19 vaccine.The rare clots can appear in the brain or abdomen, along with a low blood platelet level that affects clotting. A rare new type of adverse event called Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), involving unusual and severe blood clotting events associated with low platelet counts, has been reported globally.This has been documented in people who have received the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine.A University of Oxford study reported that the clots occurred in about 5 in 1 million people after their first dose.Over a dozen public health experts and scientists in India had earlier written to the union health minister and senior officials asking the government to undertake a complete, time-bound and transparent investigation of all deaths and other serious adverse events following Covid-19 vaccination.These experts had called for a thorough investigation of serious adverse effects arising from Covid-19 vaccines, especially in light of recent cases of blood clots and abnormal bleeding, possibly arising from the AstraZeneca vaccine.The government is yet to disclose details on the serious adverse events.