Category: Vaccine

Canadian former professional ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky engages in a conversation with an AI-generated, younger version of himself, who aims to warn him about the dangers of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in a new ad.

This isn't a "Black Mirror" episode; it's GSK Canada using AI to de-age Gretzky. In the new ad, we see the teenager talking to his present-day self.

He asks about how well Gretzky senior has done in the big leagues; we did OK, he laughs, but goes on to talk about the risks of RSV, a common cold virus that can affect the very young and the elderly, potentially leading to chest infections that, in some cases, prove fatal.

It just so happens that GSK has a new RSV shot, known as Arexvy, though it currently only has a license to treat older adults and not children. The de-aged, AI-generated Gretzky makes the point that many people think its just children who get the respiratory disease, but older adults, like todays Gretzky, are vulnerable, too.

Protect yourself against RSV, says the younger man, get your shot, he adds, with amazing foresight given that Gretzky would have been this age in the 1970s.

The Arexvy ad featuring Wayne Gretzky aims to dispel the misperception that RSV is only a concern for young children and encourages adults aged 60 and older, who are among those at greater risk, to speak to their healthcare provider about RSV prevention, including the Arexvy vaccine, a GSK spokesperson told Fierce Pharma Marketing.

The creative concept comes from the idea of wishing you could give your younger self advice and flipping that on its head by featuring a conversation between Wayne and his younger self, where its his younger self sharing information about RSV that is important for older adults to understand.

GSK wanted this conversation to feel authentic, which is why it decided to tap AI technology for the ad.

GSK is preparing for the RSV season, which typically occurs in the fall and winter. It aims to boost vaccination efforts with its newly approved shot for individuals over 60, granted Health Canada's approval in August.

But why Gretzky? For the many Canadians who grew up watching Wayne Gretzky play hockey, its an opportunity to grab their attention about what can be a serious health issue for older adults and encourage them to think about how they can protect themselves, the spokesperson explained.

When we thought of notable Canadians over 60, Wayne Gretzky immediately came to mind, and we were pleased to partner with him on this campaign knowing the impact he has made on Canadians throughout his career.

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Wayne Gretzky has a face-off with his younger self for new GSK Canada RSV vaccine ad - FiercePharma

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England are urging those eligible who've not yet come forward for the flu and COVID-19 vaccines to 'get winter strong' and join the millions of others in taking up the offer ahead of the festive and new year season when flu and COVID-19 are expected to peak.

A total of 11.7 million people in England have had the flu vaccine so far, with 8.6 million taking up the COVID-19 booster, but millions more in vulnerable groups remain at risk.

As part of a drive to encourage those eligible but still unvaccinated to come forward, TV doctor and former Gladiator Dr Zoe Williams is fronting a major new national marketing campaign, launched today (1 November).

Adverts encouraging people to 'get winter strong' - with gladiatorial creatives and copy - will appear on TV on demand, radio and billboards, with further content across social media and in newspapers throughout the campaign, which runs from 1 November to mid-December.

For the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, the campaign targets pregnant women, and those with ongoing health conditions, as these groups have more recently had lower vaccine uptake despite being at higher risk. The campaign also aims to engage parents of children aged 2 and 3 (on 31 August) to get their children vaccinated against flu.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Immunisation at UKHSA, said:

As the weather turns colder, respiratory viruses spread more easily and usually reach their peak over the festive and new year period.

For those most vulnerable, both flu and COVID-19 can cause severe illness, often hospitalization. Nobody wants to miss out on the festive celebrations with their friends and family this winter and the vaccines provide the best possible protection.

I urge all those eligible to join the millions of others who have taken up their free vaccine offer to get winter strong - don't put it off, book your appointment today and arm yourself against the risk of severe illness."

GP and TV Doctor Zoe Williams said:

Getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccines can help prepare your immune system, helping to make you winter strong and better able to fight off these illnesses if they come your way.

If you are eligible it's because you are at higher risk of severe illness, so now is the time to get protected before winter arrives. Pregnant women and those with chronic health conditions are particularly at risk from flu and COVID-19 and young children aged 2 and 3 from flu.

My 2 year old recently had their flu nasal spray vaccination. It was quick and painless, and I'd strongly encourage other parents to take up the offer. Nobody wants to see their child getting unwell with what can be a nasty illness, especially with the winter festivities ahead."

Steve Russell, Chief Delivery Officer and National Director for Vaccinations and Screening at NHS England, said:

Getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccines are two of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from serious illness this winter. We are delighted that over 20 million winter vaccines have already been given - making this the fastest flu rollout on record - and hope that others will come forward when they see this campaign, particularly those most at risk.

There are thousands of sites open across the country and eligible adults can book both vaccines online or through the NHS App in just a few minutes - if you're eligible, we'd urge you to get both vaccinations as soon as you can, to help protect yourself and your loved ones and get winter strong."

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Thomas Waite, says:

Flu and COVID can cause severe illness and hospitalisations for vulnerable people, so it's essential you protect yourself by booking your jab.

If you are eligible, please come forward and get your jabs as soon as possible to make sure you have the best protection against these viruses.

National charities are also urging those with health conditions that make them more vulnerable to serious complications of flu and COVID-19 to come forward to get their jabs."

Pamela Healy, chief executive at the British Liver Trust, said:

People with a liver condition, particularly those with advanced liver disease or who are immunosuppressed, are among the highest risk groups when it comes to COVID-19 and flu so the vaccine is the best form of protection for them against the virus.

We therefore recommend that all eligible liver disease patients should strongly consider vaccination."

Douglas Twenefour, Head of Care at Diabetes UK, said:

People with diabetes have a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if they get COVID-19, and are also at a higher risk of developing serious complications from flu. Vaccines are the safest, most effective way of protecting us from both COVID-19 and flu, and if you or a loved one is living with diabetes, it's so important to get both jabs this winter. Not only do these vaccines offer individual protection, they also help protect those around us."

John James, Chief Executive of Sickle Cell Society, said:

As we move into the winter season, those living with sickle cell disease can be more susceptible to the harmful effects of COVID-19 and flu. We welcome that both vaccines are being offered again this year to sickle cell patients who we know were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccines are the best defence against severe illness, which is why we are encouraging anyone who is living with the disease to come forward and book their free COVID and flu jabs to keep them safe and well this winter."

Fiona Loud, Policy Director at Kidney Care UK, said:

COVID-19 still poses risks to thousands of immunocompromised people who don't have the same level of protection from the vaccines as the general public does. People with kidney disease are also vulnerable to flu complications. Evidence shows that COVID-19 protection increases with each booster dose so it's really important that as many people as possible take up the offer of COVID-19 and flu vaccines. If you live with someone who is offered the vaccines because they are immunocompromised or have kidney disease then you are eligible too, so we urge everyone to check if they can have their free vaccines, and if they are, to arrange to have these as soon as they can."

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Major new campaign launched in the UK to encourage flu and COVID-19 vaccinations - News-Medical.Net

The public have been urged to take up the flu and Covid vaccines ahead of the winter outbreak.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Breda Smyth and Chief Nursing Officer Rachel Kenna have encouraged everyone who is eligible to get the jabs.

They have described a strong uptake for both vaccines to date and have advised all who are eligible to boost their protection before the respiratory virus season reaches its peak.

The two vaccines can be administered at the same time and are available through participating GPs and pharmacies.

Professor Smyth said young children are more likely to get very sick from the flu, and asked parents to consider getting them vaccinated.

She added: 'Vaccines are safe and effective, and along with good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, they're the best way to protect ourselves from the respiratory illnesses circulating this winter.

'As the two vaccines can be administered at the same time, it's a quick and easy way for people to protect their health and those around them. The flu vaccine for children is a nasal spray and is administered quickly and painlessly.'

Ms Kenna added: 'I would particularly encourage my nursing and midwifery colleagues as well as health and social care professionals and medical colleagues to take the opportunity to get vaccinated to protect themselves and vulnerable patients.'

Continued here:

Public Urged To Get Covid And Flu Vaccines Before Winter Outbreak - Extra.ie

By Cassidy Morrison Senior Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com 11:27 29 Oct 2023, updated 11:35 29 Oct 2023

Doctors have urged older adults to roll up their sleeves for three different vaccines this fall -calling the tenuous links to higher stroke risk minuscule.

The advice comes on the heels of a Food and Drug Administration analysis out this week that found there was a slightly elevated risk of stroke in over-85s who received the new Covid-19 vaccine and the flu shot formulated for seniors at the same time.

It was the second analysis by health officials to flag a possible associationbetween strokes and seniors after getting the combination of seasonal vaccines.

But experts in heart health and infectious diseases told DailyMail.com that the risk associated with getting both flu and Covid vaccines, as well as the new RSVvaccine at once, is so small that people can still be comfortable with getting them done all in one sitting.

For those who want to be extremely cautious and don't mind having 'two sore arms', it is also OK to space their vaccinations out.

There were roughly three strokes or stroke-like events called transient ischemic attacks for every 100,000 doses of both Covid and flu vaccines given at the same time between August 31 and November 6 last year.

For comparison, in 2022 the death rate from Covid in over-85s was 1,224 per 100,000.

This will be the first year that adults 60 and older willhave access to a vaccinefor respiratory syncytial virus, which kills between 6,000 and 10,000 seniors every year.

Seniors will also havethree updated high-dose flu shot options containing three to four times as much flu virus antigen to protect older people.

The FDAs analysis reported a 20 to 35 percent increased stroke risk in older adults who received either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine with the influenza vaccine in the same visit compared to seniors who only got the Covid bivalent shot.

Dr William Schaffner, a preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine studied the analysis closely before it was published.

Dr Schaffner, a member of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions panel of vaccine experts, told DailyMail.com: The short answer is no, this should not dissuade people from getting [Covid and flu shots] done simultaneously. I got the Covid and flu in the same arm simultaneously.

The data are very small and inconsistent in other databases England, France, and Israel have done similar look-back studies and have not found similar risks. This is likely a statistical fluke or a very, very low increased risk compared to the risk of stroke following either Covid or influenza.

In absolute terms, there were an additional 3.1 strokes per 100,000 doses following the Pfizer and flu shots and 3.3 strokes per 100,000 doses of the flu and Moderna shots.

Dr Lili Barouch, a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins University told DailyMail.com: That amount of risk is tiny. Its miniscule. I wouldnt let that stop anybody from getting vaccines.

If people are concerned about spreading them out by a couple of weeks, thats fine. People should get all the vaccines, so if they can do that all at once thats great but I wouldnt let this small risk make them not get vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which issues nationwide vaccination recommendations for different age groups, has not taken a firm stance on whether its best to get all three shots administered at once or to space them out by a couple of weeks.

When asked for comment by DailyMail.com, the CDC provided the same recommendations as those published on its website.

Dr Barouch, who is also the director of the sports cardiology program at Hopkins, said: Personally Im planning on getting them all at the same time and I usually get them in the same arm, so I dont have two sore arms.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found the preliminary link while scouring vaccine injury databases after a separate safety concern was raised about Pfizer's jab.

She added: We don't want to read too much into that small amount of information.

More apprehensive adults may want to space out each vaccine by a week or two, a method that has not been shown to change the effectiveness of the vaccines.

There is no recommended waiting time between getting the Covid and flu shots, according to the CDC.

Dr William Schaffner, a preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine told DailyMail.com that spacing shots out by two weeks is ideal.

For instance, getting a flu and Covid shot on one Saturday and the RSV shot two Saturdays after that would provide the same protection as getting all three at once.

Whether an older adult will end up receiving the shots simultaneously or over a few weeks will come down to conversations between them and their doctors.

Dr Stuart Ray, an immunologist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said: It's wise to have a discussion with one's care providers about that person's individual risk. But I think it's reasonable to consider spacing these out.

Some people are at more risk for vascular events than others. I think it also depends on whether that person is, from a respiratory point of view, very fragile, if they have chronic lung issues an infection like RSV could cause precipitous illness.

Someone who just recently recovered from Covid likely will not need a vaccine for a while because they have residual immunity from recovery, according to Dr Ray. Meanwhile, if a senior is frequently around children who can carry and transmit RSV easily, doctors may strongly recommend they get the shot for added protection.

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Doctors urge elderly adults to get triple-whammy of Covid, flu and RSV vaccines this winter despite 'miniscule - Daily Mail

Members of the public, who are eligible, are being encouraged to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccines this winter.

Children who missed out on flu vaccines in schools can still access them through GPs and pharmacies.

The Chief medical office and Chief Nursing Officer are reminding the public that the flu vaccine is available free of charge in the following categories;

All persons aged 65 years and over;

Children aged 2 to 12 and Pregnant individuals;

The list also includes patients aged 6-23 months and 13 64 years at increased risk of flu-related complications.

Residents of Nursing Homes and other long stay facilities as well as Healthcare workers and Household contacts of people with underlying conditions can also avail as well as Out-of Home Care providers.

COVID-19 boosters are now available for:

Those aged 50 years and older and Persons aged 5-49 years with medical conditions associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation.

The list also includes care workers and Pregnant persons, provided it is more than six months since their previous vaccine or COVID-19 infection

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Eligible Members Of Public Encouraged To Get Flu And Covid-19 Vaccines This Winter | Red FM - Red FM |

There are 40 pharmacies in the midlands offering Covid vaccines.

The Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer are encouraging everyone who is eligible to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccines this winter season.

There are 40 pharmacies around the midlands offering a Covid vaccine - 19 in Westmeath, 13 in Offaly and eight in Laois.

The flu vaccine is available free of charge for:

All persons aged 65 years and over;

Children aged 2 to 12 and Pregnant individuals;

Patients aged 6-23 months and 13 - 64 years at increased risk of flu-related complications can also avail as can residents of Nursing Homes and long-stay facilities;

The flu and Covid vaccines are also available to Healthcare workers and Household contacts of people with underlying conditions.

Meanwhile COVID-19 boosters are available for:

those aged 50 years and older

persons aged 5-49 years with medical conditions associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalization.

Health and care workers as well as Pregnant persons can also avail of the boosters, provided it is more than six months since their previous vaccine or COVID-19 infection.

Children who missed out on the flu vaccine in school can still get access the Covid boosters through GPs and pharmacies.

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Chief Medical Officer Encouraging Uptake Of Covid-19 And Flu Vaccines - Midlands103

"Vaccines are safe and effective, and along with good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, theyre the best way to protect ourselves from the respiratory illnesses circulating this winter. It is very important that all those who are invited, get both their free flu and COVID-19 booster vaccines.

Excerpt from:

Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer encourage 'flu and COVID-19 vaccine uptake - Gov.ie

EMAs human medicines committee (CHMP) has recommended authorising an adapted Nuvaxovid vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The vaccine, known as Nuvaxovid XBB.1.5, is to be used for preventing COVID-19 in adults and children from 12 years of age.

In line with previous recommendations by EMA and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), adults and adolescents from 12 years of age who require vaccination should have a single dose, irrespective of their COVID-19 vaccination history.

In its decision to recommend the authorisation, the CHMP assessed laboratory data showing that the adapted vaccine is able to trigger an adequate immune response against XBB.1.5. The Committee also considered data from a study in previously vaccinated adults showing that when Nuvaxovid was adapted to target another related strain, Omicron BA.5, it was able to trigger a strong immune response against this strain. Based on these data, the Committee concluded that Nuvaxovid XBB.1.5 is expected to trigger an adequate immune response against XBB.1.5.

The safety profile of Nuvaxovid XBB.1.5 is expected to be similar to that of the originally authorised Nuvaxovid. This was also supported by clinical data available with the version of the vaccine targeting Omicron BA.5. The most common side effects with Nuvaxovid XBB.1.5 are pain and tenderness at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain and feeling generally unwell.

EMA has sent the CHMPs recommendation to the European Commission for an EU-wide legally binding decision.

COVID-19 vaccines are adapted so that they better match the circulating variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

This vaccine was developed to target Omicron XBB in line with recommendations from EMAs Emergency task force (ETF) as well as other international regulators and the World Health Organization.

As Omicron XBB.1.5 is closely related to other currently circulating variants, the vaccine is expected to help maintain optimal protection against COVID-19 caused by these other variants as well as Omicron XBB.1.5.

As with other COVID-19 vaccines, national authorities in EU Member States will determine how to use this vaccine in national vaccination campaigns, taking into account factors such as infection and hospitalisation rates, the risk to vulnerable people and vaccine availability.

Adapted vaccines work in the same way as the original vaccines.

This adapted vaccine works by preparing the body to defend itself against COVID-19. It contains a version of the spike protein of the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant, which has been produced in the laboratory. It also contains an adjuvant, a substance to help strengthen the immune response to the vaccine.

When a person is given the vaccine, their immune system will identify the protein in the vaccine as foreign and produce natural defences antibodies and T cells against it.

If, later on, the vaccinated person comes into contact with SARS-CoV-2, the immune system will recognise the spike protein on its surface and be prepared to attack it. The antibodies and immune cells can protect against COVID-19 by working together to kill the virus, preventing its entry into the bodys cells and destroying infected cells.

Nuvaxovid was first authorised in the EU in December 2021. Adapted versions of Nuvaxovid targeting the Omicron variant BA.5 were developed but not submitted for marketing authorisation.

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EMA recommends approval of adapted Nuvaxovid COVID-19 ... - European Medicines Agency |

GSK GSK reported strong third-quarter results slightly ahead of our expectations, largely driven by excellent sales of RSV vaccine Arexvy. We are holding firm to GSKs fair value estimate and continue to view the stock as undervalued with the market likely missing the firms growth potential, partially driven by new products like Arexvy. The new product launches and strong vaccine entrenchment also reinforce the firms wide moat.

Arexvy sales of GBP 709 million in the quarter show an excellent start as the vaccines first full quarter on the market. The strong launch gives us confidence in the vaccines peak annual sales of close to GBP 3 billion, in line with management guidance. We believe the vaccines leading efficacy will likely drive leading market share against competitive vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. Also, recent positive Arexvy data in patients aged 50-59 should expand the potential beyond patients aged 60 and older.

Adding to the Arexvy strength in the quarter, the majority of GSKs larger products posted solid gains, leading to overall company sales growth of 16% (excluding COVID-19 products). While we expect this growth rate to slow, we continue to expect steady gains over the next five years driven by recent product launches. GSKs largest product, Shingrix (shingles vaccine), gained 15% as international rollouts are progressing well, but we do expect U.S. sales to flatten, as market penetration has reached 33%. HIV drugs posted 15% growth, with recent launches of long-acting medicines offsetting competitive pressures to older drugs, a trend that should continue.

Looking ahead to 2024, there are some positives and negatives. Negatively, GSK will lose royalties on HPV vaccine Gardasil and likely pay a higher tax rate due to recent legislation. Positively, we expect accelerating sales from Arexvy, continued Shingrix sales growth, minimal patent losses, and new product launches (including recently approved myelofibrosis drug Ojjaaro).

The author or authors do not own shares in any securities mentioned in this article. Find out about Morningstars editorial policies.

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GSK Earnings: Solid Growth Led by New RSV Vaccine Arexvy - Morningstar

JEFFERSONVILLE Life is precious, especially as people get older.

Jeffersonville resident Renie Schuble would know. After she lost six weeks of her life to Respiratory Synctial Virus, an illness that affects children but is becoming more prevalent in older adults.

I felt like a 500-pound rock was laying on me, she said. I couldnt work, I couldnt move, I couldnt do anything. Its either breathe or eat and I chose to breathe, so I wasnt eating and I wasnt sleeping.

Schuble battled the disease without having to be hospitalized and by being treated by her personal physician.

Schuble was 69 when she got the illness and now at 74 shes hitting the road with NBA legend Magic Johnson to help make others aware of the dangers from the virus.

The pair have visited Chicago and Los Angeles spreading the word about a new RSV vaccine for older adults, and the pair plan to hit other cities with their message next year.

She said her symptoms felt like the worst cold of her life, but doctors werent able to pinpoint the cause at first.

It took numerous tests and doctor visits before she was diagnosed with RSV.

Once she had healed from the illness she was invited to participate in a study about older people contracting RSV.

Now I became really interested at why in the world did I catch RSV at 69 years old, she said, when years ago I had a great-granddaughter in the hospital with RSV.

Representatives from GlaxoSmithKline, the makers of the RSV vaccine, reached out to Schuble after she participated in the study and asked her to be a consumer spokesperson for the Sideline RSV vaccination campaign alongside Johnson.

My first event was in Chicago, and they flew me up. I stayed 24 hours, Schuble said, adding these events are typically at YMCAs with programs for older adults. She spoke alongside Johnson and a doctor about the illness.

I was like, Oh my gosh, Magic Johnson is here, and he would talk, the doctor would talk and I would tell my story.

A University of Louisville infectious disease doctor, Mark Burns, said the RSV vaccines are new this year and recommended for seniors.

Its usually for people over the age of 60 or those who may be immunocompromised, Dr. Burns said, adding that people with chronic illness, those with heart problems, liver problems and kidney problems also qualify.

Dr. Burns said RSV affects people in two age groups, children with smaller airways and people aged 60 and older. The virus is seasonal and usually shows up in the fall and winter months.

The person with a good, working immune system, (for them) its usually very mild symptoms, Dr. Burns said. It usually doesnt cause major issues.

Although RSV infections will be present this season, Dr. Burns said he hasnt heard anything about them being particularly bad this year.

Doctors are, however, gearing up for an influx of RSV, influenza and COVID infections.

Dr. Burns said those who qualify for the RSV vaccine should get it and recommends people with apprehensions about vaccination should speak to their doctors.

This is what I tell people about vaccines in general: vaccines have helped us through many severe, severe illnesses, Dr. Burns said. I go all the way back to polio, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus. All those types of illness out there, vaccines have made a world of difference.

Schuble said she remembers those illnesses as well and wishes the RSV vaccine had been around five years ago when she got sick.

She said its important to not believe misinformation about vaccinations.

(Im doing this campaign) because it is the correct information, she said. Back when we started with COVID we heard all this, Im not going to take it because theyre going to put a chip in me or theyre going to do this to me. This is a very safe vaccine.

Katie Couric Media, the production company owned by television journalist Katie Couric, has taken an interest in Schubles story as well.

The team arrived in Jeffersonville Monday morning to shoot content with her for an upcoming project.

Schuble said shes not sure when the project will come out, but its been quite the experience to be part of this campaign.

I was in awe of the whole thing (with Katie Couric Media), she said. They arrived at 8:30 a.m. and started carrying equipment in...they were the nicest people...they had me do a little walking in the neighborhood with my little dog, showing me as a normal human being.

And, I am a normal human being.

Link:

Jeffersonville woman joins Magic Johnson for national RSV vaccine ... - Evening News and Tribune