Reports of rare and unusual blood clots have resulted in several vaccine roll outs being paused while scientists scramble to work out if the vaccines are responsible and if so how.
The unusual combination of symptoms, including a low platelet count and clots focussed in the abdomen or brain, seems similar to a rare side effect from treatment with the drug blood thinning drug Heparin - however it is not clear how the vaccines could cause the syndrome.
In this episode of Coronapod we discuss the latest theories and ask how scientists are trying to get to the bottom of this important question. Medical regulators maintain that the benefits of these vaccines significantly outweigh the risks. But as uncertainty spreads, we ponder the wider implications of these reports, including the public perception of risk.
News: How could a COVID vaccine cause blood clots? Scientists race to investigate
Coronapod: How to define rare COVID vaccine side effects
Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Coronapod: Omicron - your questions answered
Pluto's strange ice patterns explained by new theory
Coronapod: vaccines and long COVID, how protected are you?
How 'megastudies' are changing behavioural science
Coronapod: How has COVID impacted mental health?
What’s the best diet for people and the planet?
Audio long-read: The chase for fusion energy
Coronapod: everything we know about the new COVID variant
Researcher careers under the microscope: salary satisfaction and COVID impacts
Sea squirts teach new lessons in evolution
Coronapod: new hope from COVID antiviral drugs
The past and future of the Earth's climate
Audio long-read: How dangerous is Africa’s explosive Lake Kivu?
Podcast special: onboard the climate train to COP26
China’s COVID vaccines have been crucial — now immunity is waning
Genomics unwraps mystery of the Tarim mummies
Coronapod: can scientists harness COVID super-immunity?
Viking presence in the Americas pinpointed by ancient solar storm
Coronapod: the COVID scientists facing violent threats
How electric acupuncture zaps inflammation in mice
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free