Vaccine‐induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) after SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination: Two cases from Germany with unusual presentation

Abstract

Abstract Vaccine‐induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare clinical condition that has emerged during the mass immunization against SARS‐CoV‐2. Reports indicate that VITT may also be induced by other vaccines, such as the human papillomavirus vaccine, or occur independently of vaccination. Its recognition requires a high index of suspicion, especially in patients presenting with thrombocytopenia and thrombosis several days after vaccination with an adenoviral vector‐based vaccine against SARS‐CoV‐2. Bleeding manifestations do not exclude VITT, as initially assumed. It is of great importance to perform the appropriate diagnostic tests early in the course of the disease, as false‐negative results may occur and many aspects of VITT are not fully understood. These two cases from Germany demonstrate unusual presentations of VITT.

Keywords

• COVID‐19
• SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination
• vaccine‐induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis