In addition to the mechanism behind the rare form of thrombosis, the researchers say, they have also developed a diagnostic tool and a proposed therapy to clear it up immediately, the German international broadcaster reported on Friday.
The revelation came when countries in Europe resumed the doses, developed by the British-Swedish drug company and the University of Oxford in the UK, after days of suspension over fear of the blood clots that in some cases caused the death.
Deutsche Welle reported the findings by researchers from the Greifswald Teaching Hospital in northern Germany, citing public broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk.
The study showed how the vaccine caused rare thrombosis in the brain in a small number of patients, according to the report.
“The discovery means that targeted treatment can be offered to those who experience similar clotting with a very common medication,” he said.
The success was the result of collaboration between Greifswald Hospital, the health regulator of the Paul Ehrlich Institute and doctors in Austria.
The researchers stressed that treatment will only be possible in patients where blood clots occur, rather than a preventative treatment.
Symptoms such as persistent headache, dizziness or impaired vision lasting more than three days after vaccination require further medical examination, the report said, citing a statement from the German Research Association for Thrombosis and Hemostasis.
Greifswald’s findings have not yet been published in a scientific journal and have therefore not been reviewed by independent experts. The Paul-Ehrlich Institute in Germany is now investigating the scientists’ work.