Likely reason why AstraZeneca vaccine causes blot clots for some

[CrunchyCarrot]

BBC news article this morning. Very interesting but not reassuring unless it can be prevented! Basic mechanism:

The vaccine may leak into the bloodstream (cue Dr John Campbell's quest for aspirating injections). Once in the bloodstream in can attract a blood clotting platelet protein (factor 4) and this sets off a chain reaction resulting in clotting.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59418123

I'm thinking that if they manage to get a viable nasal spray version, that would be far safer.

I should have added, it's an immune response that is triggered. It's good that researchers have homed in on what is going on.

Interesting, I wonder if it's the same response as the blood clots more commonly caused by covid?

@Rade

Interesting, I wonder if it's the same response as the blood clots more commonly caused by covid?

The study is suggesting that the origin of the problem is the adenovirus which is used as a viral vector in the vaccine.

Their study, published in the journal Science Advances, reveals the outer surface of the adenovirus attracts the platelet factor four protein to it like a magnet.

It is thought the body starts to attack platelet factor four after confusing it for part of the foreign adenovirus to which it is stuck.

The vaccine may leak into the bloodstream

...well, erm, yes

I read it this morning and found it really interesting. I was so relieved when they changed the guidelines just before my age group's turn to get vaccinated (I'm 38). So many people, including lots here, claimed it was not a real issue so it's good to see actual scientific proof that it is. Hopefully this means they can reformulate the vaccine as otherwise the AZ vaccine is invaluable especially for countries where storage/distance/transport is an issue, and has no doubt saved millions of lives already. But obviously no one should be put at risk of fatal blood clots when alternative vaccines are available.