APS blood disease listed as contraindication for AstraZeneca vaccine

It is the blood clotting condition that affects one in 2000 people, including model Robyn Lawley, forcing those people to opt for the Pfizer vaccine over the AstraZeneca.

A blood clotting disorder that affects one in 2000 people has been identified as one of the two conditions that are a risk for the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.

Antiphospholipid syndrome or APS — also known as Hughes syndrome — is an auto-immune disorder where the immune system produces antibodies against platelets that help in the formation of a blood clot.

Clotting is an important process that prevents excessive bleeding after cuts but, in people with APS, it can cause recurrent blood clots and can also cause pregnancy complications with placental clots and pre-eclampsia.

The rare clotting side effect associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, called vaccine induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia or Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) has so far affected 37 definite cases in Australia with an additional 23 probables, including two deaths. It is not known if either of the two women who have died suffered from APS.

The advice is now that AstraZeneca be used in the over-60s.

Haematologist Dr Freda Passam from Sydney University said people may not even know they have APS but because the AstraZeneca vaccine can activate platelets leading to TTS, the advice is out of an excess of caution.

Robyn Lawley has APS and is a two-time stroke survivor. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The model was in hospital seven years ago after she had the first of two strokes.

Australian model Robyn Lawler found out she had APS when she first had a stroke at age 25 just after the birth of her daughter.

“I’m a two-time stroke survivor,” she said.

“Never in a million years would I have thought a stroke had happened. APS is such a rare condition I didn’t know I had,” she said

The plus-size model, famous for her killer curves, now battles epilepsy as a result.

“The stroke damage in my brain led to epilepsy,” the now 32-year-old said. Ms Lawley has a scar on her forehead from a fall after a seizure.

Jessie Mullard has had 35 miscarriages due to APS. Pictured with daughter Atarah.

Ms Lawley has been stuck in New York since March last year after leaving on one of the last flights out of Australia before the borders closed. She has had the recommended Pfizer vaccine.

Jessie Mullard, from Lismore, found out she had APS after blood clots were detected on her lungs after a car accident three years ago. It also explained why she had suffered 35 miscarriages, including a stillbirth at 21 weeks.

“It explained why I’ve had so many losses,” the mum of two said.

“I had four miscarriages between my three-year-old and now.”

Ms Mullard, 28, is now 20 weeks pregnant and on a blood thinner injections to prevent another pregnancy loss.

“I’m afraid of the vaccine, we are already at risk, this is what is scaring me,” she said.

AstraZeneca is now not recommended for those under 60 but the problem is many people with APS do not know they have it until they have a stroke.

Women may be diagnosed due to pregnancy complications but men are often only diagnosed after a stroke or heart attack at an older age.

Originally published as APS blood disease listed as contraindication for AstraZeneca vaccine