COVID 19

It started as just another ordinary day. I was comfortably seated at my desk, focused on writing the next chapter of my book. Suddenly, an intense tightening gripped at my chest – a sensation I had never experienced before. At first, I tried to dismiss it, thinking it was simply indigestion or muscle strain. But the constricting chest pain only worsened over the next several minutes.

Fearing the worst, I quickly called my friend, a cardiologist, who urged me to go to the hospital immediately based on my symptoms. My mind raced as I rushed to the nearby hospital where I was barraged with tests and monitoring – ECGs, blood work, and ultrasound scans. The diagnosis was ultimately a major relief: no heart attack, but rather a concerning cardiac event likely stemming from a blood clotting issue. However, that fleeting relief was quickly replaced by dawning horror.

The medications I was prescribed were ones typically used to treat heart failure and prevent future strokes. The blood thinners and hypertension drugs would now be a permanent part of my daily regimen to reduce my risk of compounding events. I am not sure what could be the possible reasons for this. Though I stick to a healthy moderate diet, probably a sedentary lifestyle could be one of the reasons. Perhaps this could have resulted from a possible COVID infection that never showed any symptoms – however, what haunts me is the number of deaths happening around me due to the possible side effects of Covishield, a vaccine that was rolled out during the outbreak of the pandemic.

In a concerning development, AstraZeneca has now announced the global withdrawal of its Covid-19 vaccine developed with Oxford University. The move comes after months of reports linking the shot to rare but potentially life-threatening blood clotting issues. While AstraZeneca cites commercial reasons for halting production of its adenovirus vector vaccine, the withdrawal leaves millions who received it worried about their future health. The company is already facing major lawsuits over claims the vaccine caused deaths and serious injuries like thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), which leads to abnormal blood clots and low platelet levels.

TTS was the driving force behind several countries temporarily pausing or restricting use of the AstraZeneca shot in 2021 after reports emerged of people experiencing clotting issues, some fatal. By then, the vaccine had already been administered to countless people globally through initiatives like India’s vaccination campaign.

In the wake of the withdrawal, serious concerns remain about potential long-term side effects. In India alone, there have been widespread reports of spikes in cardiac arrests, strokes, and other clotting events in the months following the vaccine rollout, with thousands of deaths. While not all cases can be directly attributed to the vaccine, the patterns are alarming.

For those already vaccinated with AstraZeneca’s formula, the future is fraught with uncertainty. They may need to live with a perpetual fear – never knowing if a deadly clot could unexpectedly end their lives or leave them severely disabled. Regular medical monitoring may be required for years or even decades to come.
The mental health toll could also be immense for the millions whose lives are now clouded by this threat. Constant anxiety and reliving moments where they or loved ones experienced potential side effects could lead to mental health struggles like PTSD, depression, and more.

While the benefits of Covid vaccines are clear from a societal perspective, the withdrawal highlights that even innovative pharmaceutical products approved for emergency use can sometimes have unforeseen negative consequences for individual patients. For those affected, there may be no closure as concerns about delayed effects linger indefinitely.

While the pharmaceutical giants behind Covid-19 vaccines like AstraZeneca have already reaped massive profits – figures that could sustain their operations for a lifetime – the human toll continues to mount. Political parties too cashed in, raking in huge sums through the pandemic via the opaque ‘electoral bond’ funding system. But the real costs have been borne by everyday citizens. It is the lives and wellbeing of millions that now hang in perpetual jeopardy due to rare but potentially catastrophic vaccine side effects.

Thorough investigations are still needed into all reports of serious AstraZeneca vaccine side effects and potential long-term impacts. But one thing is clear – the withdrawal has opened a Pandora’s box of potential health challenges for millions moving forward. Their lives may never be the same as they find themselves living in perpetual fear of the unforeseen. So is my life too!

As I put on a brave face and expressed gratitude that this hadn’t been far worse, the doctor’s words kept echoing: “We’ll have to be extremely vigilant about any new symptoms. Really, any headache, dizziness, or chest pains in the future could signal a larger event. …And you have no other options other than continuing the medication!”

Though I tried convincing myself that everything would be okay with proper treatment, a crushing existential weight settled over me. My life was now interminably tied to fear of the unknown. Would I wake up tomorrow? Next week? Next year? Or could any morning greet me with a stroke, heart attack, or worse – with my demise stemming from those fateful vaccine side effects? Who is the real killer here?