AstraZeneca Admits COVID-19 Vaccine Can Cause Fatal Blood Clotting
AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical giant behind one of the COVID-19 vaccines, has made a shocking confession in court. For the first time, they admitted that their vaccine can cause fatal blood clotting adverse effects. This revelation has come to light as part of a multimillion-pound class action filed by hundreds of families who claim that they or their loved ones were injured or killed by the vaccine.
Lawyers representing the claimants believe that some cases could be worth up to £20 million in compensation. AstraZeneca, on the other hand, acknowledged in a court statement to the High Court back in February that their vaccination “may, in extremely rare situations, induce TTS” (thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome). TTS is a medical disorder characterized by blood clots with a low platelet count. It is listed as a potential side effect of the vaccine, and it was previously known as vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).
This admission by AstraZeneca could potentially lead to individual payouts. The company has now acknowledged the possibility of triggering this disease after being aware of the potential negative effects for two years. Interestingly, taxpayers will bear the cost of any potential payouts due to an indemnification agreement that AstraZeneca made with the government during the height of the Covid pandemic.
Just days before this admission, AstraZeneca reported revenue exceeding £10 billion in the first quarter of 2024, marking a 19 percent increase. The company seemed to be thriving, but now they face legal battles and compensation claims from individuals like Jamie Scott, an IT engineer and father of two. Scott suffered a lifelong brain injury as a result of a blood clot and brain bleed after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine. He has been unable to work since. His case is one of 51 pending claims in the High Court, with damages totaling over £100 million.
The admission by AstraZeneca has brought hope to victims and their families who are seeking compensation. Kate Scott, Jamie Scott’s wife, expressed her optimism, saying, “I hope their admission means we will be able to sort this out sooner rather than later.” She added that they are seeking an apology and reasonable compensation for their family and others affected by the vaccine’s adverse effects.
Sarah Moore, a partner at law firm Leigh Day representing claimants against AstraZeneca, accused the company of using delaying tactics on victims. She criticized AstraZeneca, the government, and their lawyers for prioritizing legal games and incurring fees rather than addressing the devastating impact the vaccine has had on people’s lives.
AstraZeneca, in response, expressed condolences to those who have suffered losses or health difficulties. They emphasized that patient safety is their top priority and that regulatory authorities have strict requirements for the safe use of vaccines. Based on clinical trials and real-world data, they maintain that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of extremely rare potential side effects.
The fresh documents filed by AstraZeneca to the court differ from their previous submissions. Last year, they argued that their vaccine could not cause TTS “at a generic level.” However, the new submission acknowledges that the trigger for TTS from their vaccine is unknown and can occur in individuals without the vaccine. They state that causation in each individual case will be a topic for expert evidence.
AstraZeneca is facing legal action under the Consumer Protection Act of 1987. Lawyers representing victims and families argue that the vaccine was a faulty product that was not as safe as customers reasonably expected it to be. AstraZeneca vehemently denies these claims.
The issues surrounding AstraZeneca’s vaccine began to emerge in March 2021 when health officials found cases of VITT connected to the vaccine in Europe. However, it wasn’t until April of that year that the evidence became clear enough to restrict the use of the vaccine. Initially, the vaccine was limited to adults over 30, and now it is limited to individuals over 40.
Despite the risks associated with the vaccine, it was still administered to elderly British citizens as it was deemed necessary to protect them from the virus. Approximately 50 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were given in the UK. According to the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, at least 81 people have died from blood clot issues related to the AstraZeneca vaccine, with an unconfirmed number of people being injured or incapacitated.
As a result of these concerns, the AstraZeneca vaccine has been largely phased out in favor of mRNA alternatives from Pfizer and Moderna. The rollout of these vaccines has reduced or eliminated the use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine in many countries.
While AstraZeneca’s vaccine carries a risk of TTS at a rate of approximately one in 50,000, it is also credited with saving around 6 million lives worldwide during the Covid pandemic. It’s important to note that the victims and families seeking compensation fully support vaccination for public health and do not oppose it. Their legal action stems from the financial burden and life-altering consequences they face due to severe adverse reactions to the vaccine.