No blood clot risk from Covaxin or Covishield, says top panel

A top government official said that the panel analysed over 400 major adverse reactions during the ongoing vaccination drive and submitted its findings.

There is no increased risk of blood clotting after getting vaccinated with Covishield or Covaxin so far, a top government panel said. The assurance comes after several European nations, a few days ago, temporarily paused the rollout of AstraZeneca vaccine over blood clot fears. However, last week European medical regulator said the vaccine is "safe and effective" after which EU countries said they would soon resume the use of the vaccine.

A top government official said that the panel analysed over 400 major adverse reactions during the ongoing vaccination drive and submitted its findings that there is no unusual bleeding or clotting manifestations either with Covishield or Covaxin. Dr NK Arora, executive director of the INCLEN Trust and an advisor to the National Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) Committee looking into this issue said that out of 412 cases of severe AEFI and serious AEFI, including hospitalisations and deaths, reported as of March 13, there is “no abnormal increase” in issues of clotting and bleeding either, reported The Indian Express.

However, the committee will continue to monitor the situation, he added. The first phase of nationwide vaccination drive started on January 16 and the administration of the first dose has crossed 4 crore mark.