AstraZeneca faces legal challenges over vaccine side effects | Fusion - WeRIndia

AstraZeneca has acknowledged for the first time that its COVID-19 vaccine, developed in partnership with the University of Oxford, can cause rare but serious side effects. These include Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).

This admission comes amidst a class-action lawsuit that could see the pharmaceutical giant paying out millions in damages.

In court documents submitted to the High Court in February, AstraZeneca conceded that its vaccine might cause TTS in very rare instances. TTS is characterized by blood clots and a low blood platelet count.

Despite this, the company is contesting the broader claims of the lawsuit, which argues that the vaccine is “defective” and its efficacy “vastly overstated.”

The legal action involves 51 cases filed by victims or their families, with claims potentially amounting to up to £100 million. 

The first of these was lodged in 2023 by Jamie Scott, who suffered a permanent brain injury after vaccination. 

Initially, AstraZeneca denied that TTS was a generic issue caused by the vaccine.

Jamie’s wife, Kate Scott, expressed relief at the acknowledgement, stating that the medical community had long recognized the link between the vaccine and vaccine-induced immune thrombosis with thrombocytopenia. 

She emphasized the need for AstraZeneca and the government to accelerate their response, seek fair compensation, and offer apologies to affected families.

Lawyers representing the victims have criticized the government and AstraZeneca for their handling of the case. 

Sarah Moore, a partner at Leigh Day law firm, accused them of prioritizing strategic manoeuvres over addressing the severe impacts of the vaccine on clients’ lives.

The company expressed sympathy for those affected and reiterated that vaccines meet rigorous safety standards set by regulatory authorities.

The World Health Organization has also declared the vaccine safe and effective for individuals 18 and older, stressing that the adverse effect in question remains very rare.

As the case progresses, the legal and public scrutiny of AstraZeneca’s vaccine continues, highlighting the complex balance between rapid vaccine development and ensuring patient safety in unprecedented times.

Image by Mohit Pareek from Pixahive (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Reference: https://pixahive.com/photo/covid-19-vaccine-2/