Category: Covid-19 Vaccine

Mapangano Jeremiah, a truck driver from Nkope in Mangochi, crisscrosses the borders of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa as part of his work. Recently, he received his third Covid-19 vaccine during the recent nationwide vaccination campaign supported by the WHO in February 2024. Having experienced the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic firsthand, Mapangano reflects on the loss of many friends and the profound impact it had on his life.

"It's hard to believe how quickly people succumbed to the virus," Mapangano says. "It felt like they went on a vacation from which they'd never return. They are the true faces of Covid and its devastation. As someone who travels between countries, I've seen the severity of the situation. Even countries with better health systems like South Africa struggled to contain it. I never want to go through that again, which is why I take the Covid vaccine seriously."

Mapangano emphasizes the importance of making Covid-19 vaccines accessible to all. "During those dark times, people resorted to all sorts of remedies out of panic. But now, we have vaccines readily available that offer protection against the disease. If everyone gets vaccinated, we can stop the spread and eventually eliminate the disease altogether."

He commends the WHO and government for implementing integrated routine vaccination, which ensures vaccine availability on demand, especially for women visiting under-five or antenatal clinics. This approach not only provides vaccines but also serves as a platform for dispelling myths and misconceptions about vaccination within communities.

Despite his commitment to vaccination, Mapangano's wife remains hesitant to get vaccinated. He respects her decision but encourages women, especially mothers, to prioritize vaccination for the sake of their children. Recognizing the importance of good health, Mapangano advocates for vaccination among his peers and community members, aiming to dispel misconceptions and promote the importance of vaccination.

Martin Mkandawire, a Health Surveillance Officer in Nkope, highlights the positive shift in attitudes towards vaccination since its introduction in the community. Initially met with skepticism and fear, vaccination became widely accepted as people witnessed its effectiveness in preventing severe illness and death.

As a result of extensive vaccination campaigns such as door to door vaccinations, vaccinate my village and integration of Covid-19 vaccination into routine programs, the burden of unvaccinated populations has significantly decreased by 56% from 10,469,349 to 4,571,360 across ten implementing districts. Vaccine uptake among high-risk groups, including persons with comorbidities, refugees, and the elderly, has seen notable increases, from 27% in 2022 to 48% as at December 2023, bolstering immunity and protecting the most vulnerable against severe Covid-19 disease.

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Covid-19 Vaccination critical in ending the pandemic - WHO | Regional Office for Africa

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A University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)study late last week in JAMA Network Open finds that, despite less access to healthcare, undocumented Latino workers who visited the emergency department (ED) received COVID-19 vaccines at the same rate as US citizens.

The researchers interviewed a sample of adult non-Latino patients, legal Latino residents or citizens, and undocumented Latino patients at two California healthcare centers from September 2021 to March 2022.

The median age of the 306 participants was 51 years, 48% were women, 68% were Latino, 14% were White, 11% were Black, and 7% were of other race. Of undocumented Latinos, 25% were uninsured, and 30% usually visited the ED for healthcare.

Among all participants, 87% said they had received one or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine, and 13% reported declining the vaccine. Concern about potential adverse effects of the vaccine was the most common reason (37%) for not getting vaccinated.

Undocumented Latino workers were much more likely to report a previous COVID-19 infection than non-Latinos and legal Latino residents.

Relative to undocumented Latinos, non-Latino patients were much less likely to believe that undocumented workers could receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the United States (odds ratio [OR], 0.09). Thirteen percent of interviewees said they knew undocumented people who didn't get vaccinated because they worried about deportation. Of those who had declined the vaccine, 22% said they were interested in receiving a dose in the ED.

Undocumented Latino workers were much more likely to report a previous COVID-19 infection than non-Latinos (OR, 3.42) and legal Latino residents (OR, 2.73).

"We would have expected Latinx patients to have lower rates of vaccination, considering higher rates of infection, hospitalizations, and death," lead author Jesus Torres, MD, MPH, said in a UCLAnews release. Torres noted that EDs are one of the main healthcare access points for undocumented workers, who make up about 3% of the US population but are not often included in research.

From a public health perspective, he added, it's important to identify disadvantaged groups for research, policy work, resource allocation, and targeted vaccine campaigns.

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After COVID vaccine rollout, negativity on Twitter spiked - University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The USAID MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity project (the project) was designed to mitigate entrenched obstacles to high equitable coverage of routine immunization (RI). After COVID-19 vaccines were introduced in response to the pandemic, the project worked in 18 countries to support national and subnational governments in their extraordinary efforts to vaccinate large and diverse groups of high-priority populations in record time. The project directly supported the administration of over 21 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines and made significant contributions to a range of technical areas.

The urgency to vaccinate, coupled with huge global investments, drove innovations and adaptations to old approaches and elevated immunization practices that had received insufficient attention. For the 50th anniversary of the World Health Organizations Expanded Program on Immunization, with attention refocused on RI, the project is applying six insights from COVID-19 vaccination to achieve the global goal of equitable access to life-saving vaccines for every child.

The rapid pace of vaccine development and roll-out gave rise to myths about the vaccine and its side effects. For those who sought vaccination services, geographic, logistic, and other barriers limited many peoples ability to get vaccinated. Despite obstacles, the project increased acceptance and uptake by listening to community voices when planning, promoting, and providing vaccination.

In India, it worked with local civil society organizations (CSOs) that used boats to bring COVID-19 vaccines to fisherfolk in the Brahmaputra Islands. Recognizing that older adults with limited digital literacy were unable to register for vaccination via mobile phones, local CSOs also offered on-site registration assistance. Under community leaders advice, the project created radio broadcasts and print materials in 12 languages to reach tribal and remote populations.

In Mozambique, caregivers cited poor treatment and communication at health facilities as major barriers to RI schedule completion. In response, the project designed interventionsincluding training health providers in interpersonal communication; facilitating coordination between health care providers and community counterparts; and introducing quality of care scorecardsthat improved health care provider and client interactions.

COVID-19 immunization required new strategies to reach people who were not previously the focus of vaccination services. To increase uptake, the project doubled its efforts to make vaccines accessible to priority populations in high-traffic locations and at expanded times. In Kenya, motorcycle drivers did not want to interrupt work to get vaccinated, so the project coordinated with local health authorities to offer COVID-19 vaccination at locations where drivers wait for customers, which enabled it to vaccinate both drivers and their riders. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the project set up COVID-19 vaccination sites at markets so passersby could get vaccinated without going out of their way, and later established similar sites to provide childhood immunization at markets. The project is working in urban health centers in Lagos, Nigeria to institutionalize weekend immunization services to accommodate caregivers who cannot bring children to facilities during weekday morning sessions.

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Lessons Learned and Relearned to Improve Routine Childhood Vaccination: Six Insights from the COVID-19 Pandemic - JSI

The World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition, which meets about every 6 months to assess if any changes are needed, has recommended that the next COVID vaccine formulations use a monovalent (single-strain) JN.1 lineage.

The group met in the middle of April to review the genetic and antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2, with an eye toward vaccine composition implications.

In a statement, the experts note that the XBB lineage has been displaced by JN.1 and said that, over the short-term, circulating variants will likely be derived from JN.1.

A year ago, the group recommended a switch to XBB.1.5 for COVID vaccines, but evidence from animal studies and human sera experiments suggests that XBB.1.5 and JN.1 are antigenically distinct. Animal studies and tests on human blood following exposure to XBB.1.5 from vaccination or infection suggest that neutralization titers against JN.1are two to five times lower than titers against the XBB.1.5 vaccine antigen.

"There are further reductions in cross neutralization of JN.1 variants with F456L and/or R346T substitutions," the advisory group said. The two substitutions have been nicknamedFLiRT (FforLat position 456 andRforTat position 346), and virologists had seen them crop up in earlier SARS-CoV-2 variants.

In the United States, for example, a JN.1 spinoff called KP.2 that contains the FLiRT substitutions edged out the JN.1 parent virus as the most commonly detected variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in its latest variant proportion estimates.

The WHO experts said the few studies that estimate relative vaccine effectiveness (VE) for the XBB.1.5 vaccine during JN.1 circulation suggest some protection during the first 3 months after vaccination, but with a slight reduction in VE against JN.1 for protection against severe and symptomatic disease, similar to what neutralization antibody titer studies found. They added, however, that the ability for XBB.1.5 vaccination to protect against symptomatic disease may be less robust as SARS-CoV-2 evolution continues from JN.1.

Meanwhile, a single immunogenicity study in humans of a candidate monovalent JN.1 vaccine suggests that it produces higher neutralization antibodies against co-circulating JN.1 variants such as KP.2 than does the XBB.1.5 vaccine.

The advisers acknowledged several limitations of their analysis, including gaps in genetic surveillance, low numbers of viruses sequenced, and the difficulty of predicting public health impacts of mutations seen with the more recent JN.1 variants.

They urged countries to continue to use any COVID vaccines that are emergency listed or prequalified by the WHO and emphasized that COVID vaccination shouldn't be delayed while waiting for updated versions.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) will meet on May 16 to discuss and make strain-selection recommendations for 2024-25 COVID vaccines.

The meeting is available online, and the group said it will post the background materials its members will use during the deliberations on its website at least 2 days before the meeting.

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WHO COVID vaccine advisers recommend switch to JN.1 strain - University of Minnesota Twin Cities

UK pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has acknowledged that its Covid-19 vaccine can lead to a rare side effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS). This admission comes as the company faces a lawsuit alleging severe harm and deaths caused by the vaccine, according to The Telegraph.

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AstraZeneca, which collaborated with the University of Oxford to develop the vaccine, is currently embroiled in legal proceedings initiated by victims and their families. One such case involves Jamie Scott, a father of two, who took legal action after suffering a blood clot that left him unable to work. Scott claims that following his vaccination in April 2021, he developed a "blood clot and a bleed on his brain," resulting in a lasting brain injury.

Kate, Scott's wife, stated, "The medical world has acknowledged for a long time that vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT) was caused by the vaccine." However, AstraZeneca informed Scott's lawyers in May 2023 that they do not acknowledge TTS as being induced by the vaccine on a general level.

Kate has demanded an apology and fair compensation for their family and other affected families, emphasizing that it took three years for the admission. She stated, "We have the truth on our side, and we are not going to give up."

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What is TTS (Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome)?

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Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a blood vessel, which can impede blood flow. Thrombocytopenia is a condition where there is a low count of platelets in the blood. Platelets play a crucial role in clotting, which helps prevent excessive bleeding.

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Fifty-one cases have been filed in the High Court, with victims and their families seeking damages exceeding 100 million. AstraZeneca expressed sympathy for those who lost loved ones or reported health problems. It emphasized that patient safety is its top priority, and regulatory authorities have strict standards to ensure the safe use of all medicines, including vaccines.

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AstraZeneca acknowledges covid vaccine can lead to rare side effect TSS in court; Here's what we know - The Economic Times

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COVID-19 Vaccination Rates and Predictors of Vaccine Uptake Among Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary ... - Cureus

Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) has emerged as a rare but serious condition associated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Characterized by blood clots combined with a low platelet count, TTS has caught the attention of the medical community and the public due to its potential severity.

TTS is a condition that causes blood clots (thrombosis) to form in unusual places in the body, along with low levels of platelets (thrombocytopenia) in the blood. Platelets are cells that help the blood to clot.

TTS involves the formation of unusual blood clots along with thrombocytopenia, where the bodys platelet levels are lower than normal. Platelets are essential for blood clotting, and their reduction can lead to bleeding risks or, paradoxically, to clotting in unusual areas such as the brain or abdomen. The syndrome is particularly alarming because it can lead to significant health complications, including long-term disability and death.

While the exact mechanism by which the AstraZeneca vaccine may trigger TTS is not fully understood, researchers believe it may involve an immune response that activates platelets, leading to clot formation. This condition resembles heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), where treatment with the blood thinner heparin triggers an adverse immune response.

Symptoms of TTS can vary but typically occur within one to three weeks post-vaccination.

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of TTS:

If you experience any of these symptoms after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Regulatory bodies worldwide have reviewed the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine, with many concluding that the benefits outweigh the risks. Health authorities have issued guidelines to monitor and manage potential cases of TTS, ensuring that healthcare providers are prepared to detect and treat the condition promptly.

While the news of TTS has led to concern, it is important to understand the rarity of this condition in the context of the global vaccination effort. The AstraZeneca vaccine continues to be a key tool in combating the pandemic, credited with saving millions of lives. Ongoing research and surveillance are crucial to ensuring the vaccines continued safe use and in understanding and mitigating any risks associated with vaccination.

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What is TTS? The Thrombocytopenia syndrome caused by the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine - Revista Merca2.0 | - Revista Merca2.0

Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has admitted that its Covid-19 vaccine can cause a rare side effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome' (TTS), according to a report by the London-based newspaper The Telegraph. The admission was made in court documents for the first time since rolling out of the vaccine.

The pharmaceutical company, which developed the vaccine in partnership with the University of Oxford, is facing a class-action lawsuit alleging that their vaccine has resulted in fatalities and serious injuries among recipients.

Jamie Scott, a father of two, had filed a lawsuit last year after he developed a blood clot rendering him unable to work, The Telegraph report said. He had reportedly suffered a permanent brain injury after receiving the vaccine in April 2021.

According to the report, fifty-one cases have been lodged in the High Court, with victims and grieving relatives seeking damages estimated to be worth up to 100 million.

The company had in May 2023 told Scott's lawyers that they do not accept that TTS is caused by the vaccine at a generic level".

However, in the legal document submitted to the High Court in February, AstraZeneca said," It is admitted that the AZ vaccine can, in very rare cases, cause TTS. The causal mechanism is not known."

Speaking to The Telegraph Scotts wife Kate said, The medical world has acknowledged for a long time that vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT) was caused by the vaccine."

Stating that it has taken three years for the admission, Kate has demanded an apology, fair compensation for their family and other families who have been affected.

"We have the truth on our side, and we are not going to give up."

AstraZeneca had also partnered with Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, for the supply of the vaccine to the Indian Government.

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AstraZeneca admits its Covid vaccine 'can cause TTS in very rare cases'. All you need to know | Mint - Mint

For the first time since its COVID-19 vaccine was rolled out, AstraZeneca has admitted that it can cause a rare side effect. In legal documents submitted to the United Kingdom High Court, the pharmaceutical giant accepted that its COVID-19 vaccine "can, in very rare cases, cause TTS".

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Here, TTS stands for Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, which can cause people to have blood clots and a low blood platelet count.

The admittance, as per the Telegraph, could pave the way for a multi-million-pound legal payout.

AstraZeneca is facing class action suits over claims that its COVID-19 vaccine, developed in conjunction with Oxford, caused serious injury or death in dozens of cases.

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The first case against the company was lodged by Jamie Scott, father of two, who was 44 when he received the vaccine. Ten days after the jab, Scott complained of tiredness and started vomiting. Soon after, his speech got impaired, and he had to be taken to the hospital, where physicians diagnosed him with a suspected case of Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis (VITT).

He survived the ordeal but was left with a permanent brain injury.

Alongside Scott, 51 cases have been lodged against the company, with victims and grieving relatives seeking damages estimated to be worth up to 100 million ($125.36 million).

Lawyers for the pharma giant, however, in a letter of response sent in May last year contended "we do not accept that TTS is caused by the vaccine at a generic level".

However, in the document submitted in February this year, AstraZeneca said, "It is admitted that the AZ vaccine can, in very rare cases, cause TTS. The causal mechanism is not known."

"Further, TTS can also occur in the absence of the AZ vaccine (or any vaccine). Causation in any individual case will be a matter for expert evidence."

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However, lawyers for the victims argue that AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine is "defective" and that its efficacy has been "vastly overstated". AstraZeneca has strongly denied these claims.

Jamie Scott's wife, in a statement to The Telegraph, said, "The medical world has acknowledged for a long time that VITT was caused by the vaccine. It's only AstraZeneca who have questioned whether Jamies condition was caused by the jab."

She said while it has "taken three years for this admission to comeit is progress".

"But we would like to see more from them and the Government. It's time for things to move more quickly," she added.

"I hope their admission means we will be able to sort this out sooner rather than later. We need an apology, fair compensation for our family and other families who have been affected. We have the truth on our side, and we are not going to give up."

(With inputs from agencies)

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AstraZeneca admits in court that its Covid vaccine can in very rare cases, cause TTS - WION

** Shares of vaccine makers Pfizer PFE and BioNTech BNTX fall between 2% to 3%

** Drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline GSK sues BNTX and PFE accusing them of infringing its patents related to messenger RNA (mRNA) technology in the companies' blockbuster COVID-19 vaccines

** GSK says that PFE and BNTX's Comirnaty vaccines violate its patent rights in mRNA-vaccine innovations developed "more than a decade before" the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic

** GSK also asked the Delaware federal court for an unspecified amount of monetary damages from both companies that includes an ongoing patent-licensing fee

** A Pfizer spokesperson said in a statement that the company is "confident in our IP position around Comirnaty" and intends to "vigorously defend" against GSK's claims, while a BioNTech spokesperson declined to comment

** Including session moves, PFE down 11.3% and BNTX down 18.1% YTD

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