Research finds rare vaccine-related blood clots may be linked to genetics

New research may provide an insight into a rare blood clot side effect associated with some COVID-19 vaccines.

A yet-to-be peer-reviewed study by researchers from Flinders University and SA Pathology has found the rare occurrence could be linked to genetics.

The study looked at five unrelated people who all experienced the clotting complication, also known as vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia.

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The rare side effect was linked to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in early 2021.

It has also been linked to the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

According to the research, the five patients involved had "unusually structured antibodies against a protein called platelet factor 4, which is involved in blood clotting".

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In addition to this, the study said all five had a specific version of a gene responsible for producing these antibodies.

One of the study's authors, Dr Jin Jin Wang from Flinders University, said identifying the gene could "make it possible to produce a genetic screening tool to identify patients who are at risk of the severe complication".

"It also provides a unique opportunity for targeted, specific therapy development aimed at neutralising this highly damaging but very specific antibody," Dr Wang said.