Sigma Live

Dr. Dietis: Deaths from Covid-19 Vaccines a Very Rare Phenomenon

Published February 25, 2026, 12:12
Dr. Dietis: Deaths from Covid-19 Vaccines a Very Rare Phenomenon

Associate Professor of Pharmacology Nikolas Dietis commented on the rare but serious adverse events recorded after Covid-19 vaccinations, focusing on the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Specifically, he referred to atypical thrombotic thrombocytopenia, a syndrome combining thrombosis with low platelets, which resulted in death in approximately 20% of cases. A total of 137 confirmed deaths were attributed to this rare adverse event, while approximately three billion doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine had been administered worldwide. Mr. Dietis stressed that this is a "very, very rare" phenomenon. A study by an international research consortium clarified that the reaction occurred only in individuals with a specific genetic mutation. Mr. Dietis emphasized that no death can be downplayed, but reiterated that European regulatory authorities had judged that the benefit of vaccination clearly outweighed the risk. The risk of death from Covid-19 was 60 to 120 times higher than the risk of developing this specific rare complication. The new study enhances the understanding of the mechanism causing the complication and may prove valuable in the future, so that in the event of the development of new vaccines with similar technology, it will be possible to further reduce or even prevent similar rare risks.