AstraZeneca...
Determining causality in individual instances will require expert testimony.”
Legal representatives for the plaintiffs argue that their clients, or their family members, have suffered from TTS after receiving the AZ vaccine. TTS is a rare condition marked by simultaneous occurrences of thrombosis (blood clots) and thrombocytopenia (a deficit of platelets).
The potential repercussions of TTS are severe, ranging from strokes and brain damage to heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms, and even limb amputations. Among the claimants represented by Leigh Day law firm, 12 are seeking justice for deceased relatives, asserting that the vaccine was the direct cause of death or injury, as evidenced by medical records and death certificates.
Sarah Moore, a partner at Leigh Day, expressed frustration over AstraZeneca’s delayed acknowledgement of the vaccine’s risks, which had been recognized by the medical community since late 2021. She criticised the company, the government, and their legal teams for prioritising litigation strategies for addressing the vaccine’s impact on affected individuals.
The plaintiffs maintain that the AZ vaccine’s safety did not meet the expected standards, a claim vehemently denied by AstraZeneca. The company extended its condolences to those affected and emphasised the importance of patient safety, citing rigorous regulatory standards for all medical products, including vaccines.
AstraZeneca also highlighted the vaccine’s proven safety record, as evidenced by clinical trials and real-world data, and reiterated that global health authorities agree the benefits of vaccination surpass the risks associated with rare side effects.
The company pointed out that the vaccine’s product information was amended in April 2021 to mention the remote possibility of TTS, a change approved by UK regulators and referenced in the court documents.
Dr Aseem Malhotra, a British Indian cardiologist and outspoken critic, condemned AstraZeneca for only now admitting to the vaccine’s potential for harm, suggesting that such risks should have been evident from the beginning.
The WHO continues to endorse the vaccine as safe and effective for adults over 18, with the side effects in question being exceedingly uncommon.
The legal proceedings in the UK are ongoing, with the claimants having submitted their case details for two specific incidents. AstraZeneca has disputed the claims, and both parties have agreed to consolidate the cases. A case management conference is scheduled to take place later this year. Meanwhile, the