AstraZeneca has revealed that its COVID-19 vaccine can lead to a condition that causes deadly blood clots.
The condition, known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, is characterized by blood clots and a low level of blood platelets, the components responsible for clotting. The revelation came as part of a legal submission by the Cambridge, England-based pharmaceutical company to the U.K. High Court amid litigation involving multiple families.
The families have initiated a class-action lawsuit, claiming the vaccine caused health issues as bad as death. The compensation claims for some of the affected parties could reach up to $25 million.
Despite contesting the allegations, AstraZeneca conceded in the document that its vaccine could cause TTS, albeit in rare cases. The condition, formerly known as vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia, has been a recognized but rare side effect of the vaccine.
The legal admission marks the first instance AstraZeneca has openly recognized the potential for its vaccine to cause the serious side effect in court following two years of acknowledgment in a medical context. The implications could pave the way for individual compensation claims, altering the landscape for those affected and their families.
The development occurred shortly after AstraZeneca reported a substantial increase in its revenue, with more than $12 billion brought in during the first quarter of 2024, marking 19% growth from the previous year.
For more information, visit The Washington Times COVID-19 resource page.
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