Category: Covid-19 Vaccine

(WDAY Radio) -- A COVID-19 vaccine is being pulled from the European market after stark demand fall and acknowledgment of rare health concerns.

AstraZeneca announced they would pull their vaccine after a shift in demand to other COVID-19 vaccines rose to meet the new variants of the virus. The vaccine, which is credited with saving millions of lives throughout the pandemic, also had the potential to rarely cause blood clots and induce low platelet levels.

Companies like Pfizer and Moderna continue to maintain market relevance to the COVID-19 vaccine market, with the two companies currently dominating the vaccine market. A total of 13.58 billion COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the globe according to data collection experts. Pfizer and Moderna made billions of dollars off of vaccine sales in 2023 according to Health Care Dive, but AstraZeneca made an estimated $12 million from their vaccine sales in the year, compared to the previous $1.8 billion in 2022.

The vaccine from AstraZeneca was never filed for approval through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but was in use across several countries in Europe, Australia, and other continents.

Link:

Prominent pharmaceutical company pulls COVID-19 vaccine; citing reduced demand and health concerns - WDAY Radio

OTTAWA - The National Advisory Committee on Immunization says the mpox vaccine can be given at the same time as an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, reversing its previous recommendation to wait at least four weeks due to safety concerns.

It said Friday that data is now available to show there is no increased risk of myocarditis or anaphylaxis for people who are given Imvamune, the vaccine for mpox, when they are also vaccinated against COVID-19.

The recommendation also says that Imvamune can be given at the same time as any other live or non-live vaccines.

The committee recommended the mpox vaccine two years ago after outbreaks in several countries, mostly among men who have sex with men as well as sex workers.

The first case in this country was reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada in May 2022, and the committee says there were 1,541 cases up to the end of last year.

Ontario had 737 cases, Quebec reported 531 cases and British Columbia had 213, the committee said.

Symptoms of the disease include a rash, fever, body aches, back pain and swollen lymph glands that appear within seven to 21 days after exposure.

Two doses of Imvamune are given at least 28 days apart to protect against the disease or as soon as possible after exposure to the virus to prevent illness or severe outcomes.

Those considered at highest risk of mpox include men who have sex with men and meet at least one of these criteria: they have more than one partner, are in a relationship where at least one of the partners has other sexual partners or they have had a confirmed sexually transmitted infection in the last year.

The committee says sex workers, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, are also at risk of infection, as are people who have had sexual contact in sex venues or work or volunteer there.

It says that while cases of mpox have declined significantly since the fall of 2022, the disease remains an important public health concern.

A spokeswoman with Toronto Public Health says the city has had 36 lab-confirmed cases so far this year compared to 27 cases for all of last year.

Toronto Public Health says the mpox vaccine will be offered by appointment at Metro Hall on June 1 and June 8 as part of Pride month awareness efforts that will also involve community organizations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 24, 2024.

Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Visit link:

NACI says mpox and COVID-19 vaccines can be safely given at the same time - Toronto Star

EASTON, Pa. - In another sign of moving on from the COVID-19 pandemic, Northampton County is closing its COVID vaccination and testing sites.

Theyre scheduled to close next Saturday, June 1.

County Executive Lamont McClure made the announcement in a Friday news release.

The sites have operated for more than three years in a partnership with the county Department of Community and Economic Development, Emergency Management Services, and Lehigh Valley Hospital-Coordinated Health Allentown Hospital.

McClure said the vaccination site, LVPG Internal Medicine-Pine Street at 325 Pine St. in Easton, and walk-in testing centers at Bangor ExpressCARE, Bethlehem Township ExpressCARE and Palmer Township ExpressCARE, have played a critical role in the region's response to the pandemic.

"The COVID-19 vaccine continues to be the most effective way to protect each other from severe illness and death, McClure said in the release. I extend our deepest gratitude to LVH-CHA for their unwavering dedication in providing vaccination and testing services to Northampton County residents and employees for four years."

Since the pandemic began in 2020, more than 50,000 Pennsylvanians have died from COVID and over 3.5 million cases have been reported, according to the Coronavirus Resource Center operated by Johns Hopkins University & Medicine.

Said McClure: "We will never be able to measure the number of lives that were potentially saved or the significant impact this partnership had on the thousands of county residents who utilized the testing site. I would be remiss if I did not express gratitude to the LVHN health care workers who administered the tests and vaccinations."

He said the closings mark the end of a significant chapter in the countys COVID-19 response.

Several health care providers supply testing and vaccination options.

See the rest here:

Northampton County closing its COVID-19 vaccination and testing sites - LehighValleyNews.com

The following is a summary of Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine efficacy in participants with weakened immune systems from 4 randomized-controlled trials, published in the April 2024 issue of Infectious Diseases by Sherman et al.

Data on COVID-19 vaccine efficacy (VE) in people with mildly immuno-compromising conditions are limited despite vaccines success in preventing severe disease in the general population.

Researchers conducted a retrospective study analyzing the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in people with mildly immuno-compromising conditions.

They used post-hoc analysis of four COVID-19 vaccine trials (Moderna, AstraZeneca Janssen, and Novavax). A tempered immune system (TIS) variable was defined based on medical history and medications to determine VE against symptomatic and severe cases of COVID-19 in TIS vs. non-TIS starting 14 days after completion of the primary series. The same model was used to analyze the participants living with controlled human immunodeficiency.

The results showed only 3,852/30,351 (12.7%) Moderna participants, 3,088/29,868 (10.3%) Novavax participants, 3,549/32,380 (11.0%) AstraZeneca participants and 5,047/43,788 (11.5%) Janssen participants had a TIS. Metabolism and nutritional disorders were the main cofactors in most TIS conditions (73.9%). All participants showed a significantly reduced likelihood of symptomatic and severe COVID-19 with vaccination vs. placebo. The VE did not differ significantly between participants with TIS and NTIS or those with HIV for symptomatic or severe COVID-19 across all trials.

Investigators concluded that mild immunity issues showed no difference in VE against COVID-19 symptoms or severity compared to those without in four vaccine trials.

Source: academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/cid/ciae192/7643769

More:

Exploring the Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccine in People with Mildly Immune System - Physician's Weekly

Breadcrumb Trail Links

It is hard to overstate how much the older adult population is affected differently by COVID-19."

Published May 24, 2024 Last updated 3hours ago 3 minute read

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

While some consider COVID-19 to be in the rear view mirror, it continues to cause severe illness, even death, in some Ottawa seniors. That is the population along with others considered high risk who are being urged to get vaccinated now before cases begin to increase again.

Some 130,000 Ottawa seniors, or 70 per cent of older adults in the city, havent received COVID-19 vaccines in the past six months. That makes them eligible for a COVID-19 as part of a spring vaccination campaign aimed at the most vulnerable.

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

or

Article content

Article content

Dr. Trevor Arnason, Ottawa Public Healths newly appointed deputy medical officer of health, says he is concerned that cases of COVID-19 will increase in Ottawa in the coming weeks, a pattern seen in summers since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. That puts seniors and other vulnerable residents at risk for severe outcomes, and especially those who have not had recent vaccines.

It is hard to overstate how much the older adult population is affected differently by COVID-19, Arnason said.

After a long lull, Ontario wastewater readings are beginning to increase slightly, suggesting COVID-19 is circulating in the province and case numbers could rise. Some countries in Europe and elsewhere are seeing steeper spikes in infections.

Even during this springs lull in COVID-19 cases, some people continued to be hospitalized with complications from infections, with about 85 per cent of them being 60 or older. Some infections have resulted in deaths.

We are still seeing lots of older adults who end up in hospital, and there are still deaths, Arnason said.

Since the beginning of 2024, 46 Ottawa residents have died as a result of COVID-19 infections. There have been 2,018 COVID-19 cases since January.

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Research has shown that the impact of COVID-19 on the elderly can be significantly more severe than seasonal influenza, which can also cause severe illness among older adults.

The spring COVID-19 vaccine campaign is not open to the general public, but to people over 65, those who are immune compromised and people over 55 who are Indigenous, as well as their family members.

Arnason said people in vulnerable groups who did not get vaccinated in the fall of 2023 were of particular concern. Both last falls and this springs vaccines are better targeted to current COVID-19 variants circulating than earlier vaccines were.

Arnason acknowledged it could be difficult to get the message out that COVID-19 continued to pose a threat when cases had been low for months and many people had moved on. It can be hard when the general public is saying this is in the rear-view mirror.

But he said many older people recognized the increased risk for their age group and would take preventative measures, including getting vaccinated.

Between April 1 and May 5, 4,918 doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered to adults 65 and over in Ottawa.

Advertisement 4

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

People who dont qualify for vaccination this spring should also be aware that COVID-19 is still present in the community, he said, and work to stop its spread by staying home when sick and by taking other precautions, including masking.

There is likely to be another vaccine available in the fall for the general population.

Meanwhile, for those who are eligible, Arnason said: Now is the time to get vaccinated. We could see a rise over the summer months.

Vaccines are available at pharmacies and some neighbourhood health and wellness hubs. More information is available online at ottawapublichealth.ca.

Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage andsign up for our newslettersso we can keep you informed.

Recommended from Editorial

'Where hope becomes reality': Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre opens its doors

In a world-first, CHEO researchers use AI to find children with undiagnosed rare diseases

Article content

Share this article in your social network

Read the original post:

Older Ottawa residents still landing in hospital and dying from COVID - Ottawa Citizen

May 24, 2024 The American Heart Association has issued a statement warning that false information about COVID vaccination and heart defects attributed to the Association may be spreading. The misinformation is inaccurately and incorrectly connected to a recent scientific paper on cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome.

The written statement was issued through a May 23 news release titled, Beware: Myths incorrectly connecting COVID vaccine to heart defects may be spreading, and reported that the Association issued a fraud warning and urges individuals to check reputable sources such as peer-reviewed scientific journal and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and discuss medical questions with their healthcare provider.

The American Heart Association statement emphasized that AHAs 2023 Cardio-Kidney Metabolic Health scientific statement, as detailed in the news release, as well as the presidential advisory and manuscript, does not include any references to COVD-19 vaccination or vaccines of any kind.

These false articles and accompanying social media posts are misleading and make connections that cannot be attributed to the American Heart Association or its scientific statement, noted the statement. It also noted that the articles do not reflect the Association's policy or position and the organizations name is being used without permission. The Association supports COVID-19 vaccinations as safe and effective.

The myths are posted and cross referenced to several websites including one noted as one of the largest producers of fake news by Poynter Institute-accredited factcheckers such as Snopes, FactCheck.org and others.

Medical misinformation can spread rapidly and be deadly. As noted by editors of more than two dozen cardiology-related scientific journals around the world in a 2019 editorial, "human lives are at stake" because of medical misinformation.

Additional Resources:

AHA COVID vaccine information:Get the factsandfind answers to COVID-19 vaccination questions

AHAfraud warning

AHA journal Circulation editorial:Medical Misinformation: Vet the Message!

More information: http://www.heart.org

Continue reading here:

American Heart Association Warns of Misinformation Connecting COVID Vaccination to Heart Defects - Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology

404 error: Page not found

The page that you are looking for doesnt exist on this website. You may have accidentally mistype the page address, or followed an expired link. Anyway, we will help you get back on track. Why dont you try one of these pages for starters.

Original post:

Northampton Co.s COVID Sites to Close After 4 Years - Saucon Source

TAMPA (BLOOM) Its being reported that Lyme Disease flare-ups could be linked to the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Tara Foti has 20 years of work experience in healthcare settings, but has had debilitating health problems impacting every system in [her] body since getting a COVID booster in December 2021.

Tara shared that she previously treated Lyme disease around 2017 and tested positive again in January 2023. The best working theory is that the old infection was reactivated by the vaccine, along with a number of viruses.

Tara and her husband, Chris, joined Gayle Guyardo, the host of the global health and wellness show, Bloom, to share more about their journey and how Lyme Disease has affected their lives.

Visit link:

One woman shares her journey with Lyme Disease & its possible link to the COVID vaccine - WFLA

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention program that provides uninsured adults access to free COVID-19 vaccines is set to expire.

The CDC said its Bridge Access Program will end in August.

The program also offers free vaccines to those with insurance plans that do not fully cover the cost of the shots.

While many health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid plans cover COVID-19 vaccines, there are still 25 million to 30 million adults either without insurance or whose insurance only provides partial coverage.

The program expanded access for millions to get their shots at no cost. Those eligible must be living in the U.S. and be 18 or older.

Officials with the Biden administration are seeking a permanent solution to free COVID-19 shots for those without access through the Vaccines for Adults program proposed in the fiscal year 2023 and 2024 presidential budgets.

People looking to see if their COVID-19 shots are covered by insurance should contact their health insurance provider or search their coverage plan on their providers website.

Scripps News has reached out to the CDC for more information.

Read more:

CDC program that provides free COVID vaccines for the uninsured ending in August - Scripps News

The results of two back-to-back randomized double-blind placebo controlled trials has shown that a 100-year-old vaccine originally developed to prevent tuberculosis helps protect people with type 1 diabetes from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. The research by investigators at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) found that the Bacillus Calmette-Gurin (BCG) vaccine provided continuous protection against all the viral variants for almost the entire COVID-19 pandemic.

The results of the 18-month trial are published today in iScience. The Phase III trial was conducted later in the pandemic when the Omicron variant was circulating in the population. An earlier Phase II trial was conducted earlier in the pandemic, and those results were published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine.

Individuals with type 1 diabetes are highly susceptible to infectious diseases and had worse outcomes when they were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, said senior author Denise Faustman, MD, PhD, director of the Immunobiology Laboratory at MGH. Published data from other investigators show mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are not very effective in this group of vulnerable patients. But weve shown that BCG can protect type 1 diabetics from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Testing for the efficacy of the BCG vaccine against infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus was conducted by a number of different research organizations around the world with mixed results. In these trials the TB vaccine was given as a single booster shot to people who were already BCG-vaccinated. Data from these trials expanded the clinical trial database that has shown vaccinating newborns with the vaccine provides a base for fighting all infectious diseases with protection potentially spanning decades.

But in these early trials, five randomized studies showed efficacy, while another seven showed no patient benefit.

Undeterred by these results, the team at MGH took a markedly different approach to employing the BCG vaccine. First, instead of trial participants receiving a single booster dose, these Phase II and Phase III trials received five or six doses. We know that in people who are nave to BCG vaccine, the off-target effects can take at least two years to achieve full protection, said Faustman. Giving multiple doses of the vaccine may speed up that process.

Other differences in the trial design included using a more potent strain of the BCG vaccine than was used in previous trials. Lastly, participants in these two trials were followed for three years, as opposed to weeks or months of previous trials.

Faustman believes the positive results of the US-based clinical trials are potentially the result of the use of BCG vaccines in newborns in other countriesa practice that has not been taken in the U.S.as well as the trials including people with previous exposure to TB. He noted that these factors may have obscured any benefit from a BCG booster.

In total, the MGH trial enrolled 141 people with type 1 diabetes split roughly two-to-one in the treatment arm and placebo group respectively. The treatment group received five or six doses of BCG, while the placebo group received a sham vaccine.

During the Phase II trial from January 2020 to April 2021 when the SARS-CoV-2 virus was less transmissible but more lethal, the BCG vaccine was 92% effective, or comparable to the effectiveness of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Over the 34 months of U.S. COVID-19 pandemic, the TB vaccine showed efficacy of 54.3%, with the researchers showing participants had lower rates of not only COVID-19 infections, but also other viral, bacterial and fungal infections.

This finding has significant implications not just in fighting COVID-19, but a range of other viral infections. With protection that potentially lasts decades, the BCG vaccine could be more effective than yearly flu vaccines which confer effective protection for only a few months.

The BCG vaccine offers the prospect of near-lifelong protection against every variant of COVID-19, the flu, respiratory syncytial virus, and other infectious diseases, Faustman noted.

Read the original post:

100-Year-Old TB Vaccine Protects Type 1 Diabetics from COVID-19, Other Infectious Diseases - Inside Precision Medicine