Case studies reveal how the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine may cause blood clots

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-04-12 11:23

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Two separate case study reports on people who had blood clots following vaccination with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine have described a likely mechanism for this unusual clotting disorder. Both studies suggest the syndrome is similar to another autoimmune syndrome called heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, and that cases had high levels of antibodies to platelet factor. The authors say that by providing a link between thrombosis and the immune system, these results strengthen the view that vaccination may have triggered the syndrome.