Researchers at Flinders University in Australia have identified a concerning association between a serious complication linked to COVID-19 vaccines and a rare yet deadly blood condition that can occur after a common cold. They found that the antibodies responsible for vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT) bear nearly identical molecular characteristics to those involved in a similar blood disorder triggered by adenovirus infections.
Professor Tom Gordon stated that their innovative approach revealed a shared triggering mechanism in both the virus and vaccine structures related to the harmful PF4 antibodies. This research follows instances where VITT emerged as a rare side effect of certain COVID-19 vaccines, including the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab.
The study also noted parallel discoveries from North America and Europe, which linked fatal blood disorders with the same PF4 antibody found in individuals who had recently contracted common colds. The collaborative work, which unveiled specific molecular signatures, is aimed at enhancing vaccine safety and could inform strategies against blood clotting disorders associated with adenovirus infections.
Overall, the findings provide crucial insights that may improve public health measures and vaccine development in the future.