AstraZeneca blood clot puzzle solved and scientists know how to stop it

Scientists in Germany claim to have figured out the cause of rare blood clots linked to the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson jabs.

The experts explained the clots were caused by ‘floating mutant proteins’ and say they know how to stop it happening.

Their theory is that the clots occur because the vaccine sends the spike protein directly into the cell nucleus.

Women over the age of 50 seem most at risk from these clots, but as mentioned – they are exceedingly rate.

The AstraZeneca vaccine has been linked to only 309 clotting cases and 56 deaths in the UK – out of 33,000,000 shots.

Meanwhile the J&J vaccine has been linked to 28 cases in the US out of more than 10,400,000 shots.

Researchers at Goethe-University of Frankfurt and Ulm University, in Helmholtz, Germany say the problem lies with the adenovirus vector.

The way the AstraZeneca jab works is to for the gene for the coronavirus spike protein to be added to another virus called an adenovirus. Adenoviruses are common viruses that typically cause colds or flu and this is what allows it to enter the body and take effect.

Lead scientist Rolf Marschalek, explains in a pre-print paper published on Wednesday that this method adds the spike protein into the cell nucleus rather than the cytosol fluid inside the cell.

However, the scientists says the vaccines can be adapted to prevent this side effect, according to the Financial Times.

‘With the data we have in our hands we can tell the companies how to mutate these sequences, coding for the spike protein in a way that prevents unintended splice reactions,’ Professor Marschalek said.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said that while the estimated incidence rate of blood clot cases has increased over time, the number of cases remains extremely low in the context of the millions of doses administered.

The regulator’s position remains that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine continue to outweigh the risks for the vast majority of people.

MORE : ‘Super mutant’ variants may emerge as Indian Covid was ‘just the beginning’

MORE : Do you need to self isolate if you’ve had the Covid vaccine?