Abstract

Thrombosis with COVID-19 Vaccines: An opinion

Author(s): Joseph Millan

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved two adenovirus-based vaccines, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and Ad26.COV2.S, as well as two mRNA-based vaccines, BNT162b2 and mRNA.1273, to prevent and reduce the incidence of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Recent publications have shown thrombosis with thrombocytopenia as an adverse event that occurs infrequently in some people following vaccination. The interactions of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with different C-type lectin receptors, heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs), and the CD147 receptor, as well as different soluble splice variants of the spike protein, adenovirus vector interactions with the CD46 receptor, and platelet factor 4 antibodies, may be the cause of such events. Following vaccination, similar findings have been observed for a variety of viral illnesses. Furthermore, immunological reactions triggered by viral vectors associated to cellular transport could be important in people with specific genetic backgrounds.