by Jahangir Sofi
SRINAGAR: Amidst recent revelations by British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca regarding a rare side effect associated with its COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield, experts in Kashmir have sought to assuage public concerns. There are no known cases in Kashmir even though the vaccine was used widely.
Leading Kashmir pulmonologist, Prof Dr Naveed Nazir Shah, head of chest medicine GMC Srinagar, told Kashmir Life that while the side effect is indeed rare, it is essential for people not to panic. Naveed stressed that no such significant cases have been reported either globally or locally in Kashmir.
“People should not worry,” Dr Shah remarked. “Every medicine or vaccine carries its own set of side effects. While it’s true that clots can occur, it’s crucial to understand the frequency of their occurrence.”
It is pertinent to mention that AstraZeneca has acknowledged that its vaccine can lead to a rare condition known as Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), characterised by blood clotting and low platelet count, sparking panic among several people in Kashmir and elsewhere who have received the Covishield jab.
Dr Naveed urged that those with underlying health conditions, high-risk patients, or immune compromised, to take proper care of their health. He said that a significant number of lives were saved by the vaccine, reassuring the public that no such severe adverse effects were observed in Kashmir as of now due to Covishield.
