Category: Vaccine

Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network May 20 2024, 10:30 AM ET CDCHAN-00508

Summary The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to alert healthcare providers to cases of meningococcal disease linked to Umrah travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, that can be performed any time in the year; the Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage this year taking place June 1419, 2024. Since April 2024, 12 cases of meningococcal disease linked to KSA travel for Umrah have been reported to national public health agencies in the United States (5 cases), France (4 cases), and the United Kingdom (3 cases). Two cases were in children aged 18 years, four cases were in adults aged 1844 years, four cases were in adults aged 4564 years, and two cases were in adults aged 65 years or older. Ten cases were in patients who traveled to KSA, and two were in patients who had close contact with travelers to KSA. Ten cases were caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W (NmW), one U.S. case was caused by serogroup C (NmC), and the serogroup is unknown for one U.S. case. Of nine patients with known vaccination status, all were unvaccinated. The isolates from the one U.S. NmC case and two NmW cases (one U.S., one France) were resistant to ciprofloxacin; based on whole-genome sequencing, the remaining eight NmW isolates were all sensitive to penicillin and ciprofloxacin.

In the United States, quadrivalent meningococcal (MenACWY) conjugate vaccination is routinely recommended for adolescents, and also recommended for travelers to countries where meningococcal disease is hyperendemic or epidemic, including a booster dose of MenACWY if the last dose was administered 35 or more years previously (depending on the age at most recent dose received). In addition, all Hajj and Umrah pilgrims aged one year and older are required by KSA to receive quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine. Healthcare providers should work with their patients considering travel to perform Hajj or Umrah to ensure that those aged one year or older have received a MenACWY conjugate vaccine within the last 5 years administered at least 10 days prior to arrival in KSA. Healthcare providers should also maintain increased suspicion for meningococcal disease in anyone presenting with symptoms of meningococcal disease after recent travel to KSA for Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage. U.S. health departments and healthcare providers should preferentially consider using rifampin, ceftriaxone, or azithromycin instead of ciprofloxacin for chemoprophylaxis of close contacts of meningococcal disease cases associated with travel to KSA.

Background Meningococcal disease, caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, is a rare but severe illness with a case-fatality rate of 1015%, even with appropriate antibiotic treatment. Meningococcal disease often presents as meningitis with symptoms that may include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, or altered mental status. Meningococcal disease may also present as a meningococcal bloodstream infection with symptoms that may include fever, chills, fatigue, vomiting, cold hands and feet, severe aches and pains, rapid breathing, diarrhea, or, in later stages, a petechial or dark purple rash (purpura fulminans). While initial symptoms of meningococcal disease can at first be nonspecific, they worsen rapidly and can become life-threatening within hours. Survivors may experience long-term effects such as deafness or amputations of the extremities. Immediate antibiotic treatment for meningococcal disease is critical. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures are indicated for patients with suspected meningococcal disease. Healthcare providers should not wait for diagnostic testing or receipt of laboratory results before initiating treatment for suspected cases of meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal disease outbreaks have occurred previously in conjunction with mass gatherings including the Hajj pilgrimage. The most recent global outbreak of meningococcal disease associated with travel to KSA for Hajj was in 20002001 and was primarily caused by NmW. Since 2002, KSA has required that all travelers aged one year or older performing Hajj or Umrah provide documentation of either a) a MenACWY polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4 is no longer available in the United States) within the last 3 years administered at least 10 days prior to arrival or b) a MenACWY conjugate vaccine within the last 5 years administered at least 10 days prior to arrival. This requirement aligns with ACIP recommendations for revaccination of U.S. travelers to endemic areas who received their last dose 35 or more years previously (depending on the age at most recent dose received). Nevertheless, meningococcal vaccination coverage among Umrah travelers is known to be incomplete.

Close contacts of people with meningococcal disease should receive antibiotic chemoprophylaxis as soon as possible after exposure, regardless of immunization status, ideally less than 24 hours after the index patient is identified. Ciprofloxacin, rifampin, and ceftriaxone are the first-line antibiotics recommended for use as chemoprophylaxis. However, ciprofloxacin-resistant strains of N. meningitidis have been emerging in the United States and globally. CDC recently released implementation guidance for the preferential use of other recommended prophylaxis antibiotics in areas with multiple cases caused by ciprofloxacin-resistant strains. Health departments should discontinue using ciprofloxacin as prophylaxis for close contacts when, in a catchment area during a rolling 12-month period, both a) 2 invasive meningococcal disease cases caused by ciprofloxacin-resistant strains have been reported, and b) cases caused by ciprofloxacin-resistant strains account for 20% of all reported invasive meningococcal disease cases. Though a catchment area is defined as a single contiguous area that contains all counties reporting ciprofloxacin-resistant cases, in this circumstance, it is more appropriate to determine the catchment population based on travel history rather than geographic location at the time of diagnosis. Among the 11 global cases associated with travel to KSA that have antimicrobial sensitivity results available, 3 cases (27%) were caused by ciprofloxacin-resistant strains. Rifampin, ceftriaxone, or azithromycin should be preferentially considered instead of ciprofloxacin as prophylaxis for close contacts in the United States of meningococcal disease cases associated with travel to KSA.

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Health Alert Network (HAN) - 00508 | Meningococcal Disease Cases Linked to Travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ... - CDC Emergency Preparedness

A large outbreak of pertussis (more commonly known as whooping cough) has been ongoing in the UK since the beginning of 2024. There have been 2,793 confirmed cases so far this year.

Sadly, five infant deaths due to whooping cough have been confirmed, with unconfirmed reports that a sixth infant may have died in the last week of the bacterial infection.

This is a stark reminder that whooping cough is a very nasty infection. While the symptoms are usually mild in healthy older children and adults, it can be lethal for babies.

Globally, there are an estimated 24 million cases of whooping cough each year and around 160,000 deaths.

Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis often begins like most other respiratory infections, with typical symptoms including a runny nose and a fever. The distinctive "whoop" cough may only appear after a week or so of illness though it does not occur in all cases. As such, confirming cases of whooping cough may require a laboratory test.

Whooping cough is very infectious. On average, a single case of pertussis can transmit infection on to around 15-17 other people. This infection rate is similar to measles and higher than the COVID variants.

The reason whooping cough is so infectious is in part due to pertussis having a very long infectious period of up to five weeks where infected people can pass the bacteria on to others. Prompt treatment can greatly reduce transmission antibiotics shown to reduce contagiousness just five days after starting treatment.

But prior to treatment, there are plenty of opportunities for transmission to occur and for an outbreak to be maintained. Both confirmed and asymptomatic cases can be responsible for onward transmission of whooping cough.

One slightly curious aspect of whooping cough is that there are big outbreaks typically every few years. The last sizeable outbreak in the UK was in 2016 with almost 6000 confirmed cases. The reasons for these cycles are not fully understood, but a key factor is probably waning immunity at the population level.

The immunity from the pertussis vaccine is initially very protective, but it does decline a few years after the initial vaccination. This is why a consistently high vaccine uptake across the population is vital.

The vaccine is very safe and effective. Vaccinating young children and pregnant women some of the most vulnerable groups within the population is particularly crucial for preventing infection and illness.

Children who are fully vaccinated are 84 percent less likely to get a confirmed whooping cough infection compared to those who weren't vaccinated. Vaccines not only prevent young children from becoming unwell vaccines also lower the risk of children transmitting the infection onto young siblings, family members and friends.

Immunization during pregnancy is also particularly important as the antibodies the mother gets from the vaccine protects the newborn in their first few weeks of life before the baby is themselves old enough to receive their first pertussis vaccine dose. A dose during pregnancy prevents around 78 percent of pertussis cases in newborn babies.

But vaccine coverage has dropped in recent years. Maternal vaccine uptake was 70 percent in 2017, but only 58 percent in 2023.

The percentage of children vaccinated by their first birthday dropped slightly from around 93% just prior to the pandemic to 92 percent in 2022-2023. A similar drop (from 85 percent to 83 percent) is seen with the booster dose children can have prior to their fifth birthday. This drop in coverage may be contributing to the current outbreak.

While one publication has suggested the outbreak is probably a "surge fueled by lockdown", there's no evidence to support this assertion.

This kind of messaging isn't helpful as it doesn't raise awareness or educate the public on the things they can do to prevent the spread of whooping cough. Given that people's health-related behavior can be significantly impacted by the news they read, high-profile media sources have a responsibility to report accurate information.

The sheer extent of the pandemic may have affected access to healthcare and vaccination rates, resulting in a drop of the population-wide immunity needed to prevent severe outbreaks. Geographical variations in vaccine uptake might also be a contributing factor though, at the time of writing, there isn't any data available on case numbers by UK region.

To control the current outbreak, widespread use of antibiotics to treat or prevent pertussis infections will probably be used. If anyone suspects they have whooping cough, they should speak to their doctor as soon as possible not only because of the severity of the illness, but because prompt treatment reduces person's infectious period.

While UK guidance does not routinely recommend a pertussis vaccine in adults, an extra dose is known to be safe and effective. This may be advised for people who have come in close contact with someone who has whooping cough. It may also be important for people who could be vulnerable to a severe infection such as the elderly.

Ultimately, whooping cough is an infection that can be prevented by vaccines. The grim news of infant fatalities in the UK reminds us all that there are very good reasons why immunization is recommended. And, in the longer-term, outbreaks can be minimized in both the number of cases and the severity of cases by maintaining a high vaccine coverage.

Access to vaccination, as well as accurate information about the small risks and significant benefits, is going to be key in bringing the outbreak under control.

Michael Head, Senior Research Fellow in Global Health, University of Southampton

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Link:

Whooping Cough Is Surging in The UK, And This Could Be Why - ScienceAlert

By Padraig Collins For Daily Mail Australia 03:18 21 May 2024, updated 03:41 21 May 2024

A triple hit of flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus - combined with falling vaccination rates - is leaving huge numbers of people sick across Australia.

The number of flu cases fell during the pandemic because of lockdowns and measures such as the widespread use of facemasks.

But this has led to lower immunity and increased susceptibility to the flu, with3,696 hospital admissions and 379 deaths from influenza in Australia last year.

The trend is continuing this year, with more than 2,000 people falling ill with the flu in the week up to May 11 in NSW, a 16 per cent increase on the same time last year.

Covid cases are also increasing, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is at high levels too. RSV is one of the major causes of lung infection in adults and children and can lead to more serious illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis.

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'We are now officially entering the influenza season, with cases expected to surge rapidly in the next six to eight weeks, so now is the time to book in for a flu vaccine to protect yourself and your loved ones,' NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

'This is a timely reminder for parents, as we are already seeing an increase in the number of young children becoming sick with the virus.

'The flu vaccine is readily available and free for those at higher risk of severe illness, including children aged six months to under five years.'

Holly Seale, an associate professor in the School of Population Health at UNSW, also warned of the falling number of vaccinations.

'While we're still relatively early in the 2024 flu season, only seven per cent of children under five have received their flu shot this year so far,' Dr Seale said.

'Although young children are a particular concern, flu vaccination rates appear to be lagging for the population as a whole.

'Reports indicate that from March 1 to April 28, 16 per cent fewer people were vaccinated against the flu compared with the same period last year.'

In 2023, reported flu cases were highest in children aged five to nine, followed by those aged zero to four.

The same pattern is being repeated this flu season, Dr Seale wrote.

'While kids are more likely to catch and spread the flu, they're also at greater risk of getting very sick from it. This particularly applies to children under five,' she said.

'The flu vaccine isn't perfect it may not prevent infections entirely but it's definitely our best chance of protection.

'Research has shown influenza-related visits to the GP were more than halved in vaccinated children compared with unvaccinated children.'

She said vaccination prevents a severe response to the flu and reduces transmission in schools and communities, but some common misconceptions are preventing some parents from getting their children, or themselves, vaccinated.

'Some parents report concerns about the vaccine, including the old dogma that it can cause the flu,' she said.

'The flu vaccine can't give you the flu because it doesn't contain live virus. Unfortunately, that myth is really sticky.'

Dr Seale pointed out that it's not just children who are at a higher risk from the flu, and that adults aged 65 and over are also more vulnerable.

But despite being eligible for a free vaccine, the uptake among over 65s has been slow so far this flu season.

'For this group, we usually get around 65per cent vaccinated. So far this year, around 35per cent of over-65s have received their flu vaccine,' she said.

The flu vaccine is also free for pregnant women and anyone who has a medical condition such as heart disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes or kidney disease.

Past studies have found flu vaccine coverage for pregnant women varies around the country from 39per cent to 76per cent, meaning that in some areas up to 60per cent of pregnant women are not getting vaccinated.

Dr Chant said that with Covid still present in the community, vaccinations are a priority, with virus activity increasing from low to moderate levels.

'With all three viruses (flu, Covid and RSV) in circulation, we also want to remind the community that symptomatic people should stay at home, and wear a mask if they do need to go out,' she said.

'They should avoid visiting high-risk settings like hospitals, aged and disability care facilities.'

Traditionally, flu season has run from April to October with a peak in August. However, since 2022, the flu season started earlier in March and peaked in June.

Flu cases are reported all year but are more common during winter, which is why it's called the flu season.

It is believed there is a 'flu season' because in winter people spend more time indoors and in close contact with each other.

Up until April 30, there were 35,580 flu notifications. This is well up from the same period in 2023, which had 32,480 notifications.

While the flu can be mild, it can also cause serious illness in otherwise healthy people, leading to hospitalisation and sometimes death.

In 2023, there were 252,296 reported flu cases, but the overall case numbers were probably far higher.

There were 3,696 hospital admissions due to influenza, with 256 of those admitted to ICU.

There were 376 influenza-associated deaths in Australia in 2023.

Source: Hudson Institute of Medical Research

Read more here:

The 'triple hit' of illnesses that explains why everyone in Australia is getting sick at the moment - Daily Mail

Paul D. Parkman, a scientist who in the 1960s played a central role in identifying the rubella virus and developing a vaccine to combat it, breakthroughs that have eliminated from much of the world a disease that can cause catastrophic birth defects and fetal death, died May 7 at his home in Auburn, N.Y. He was 91.

See the rest here:

Paul Parkman, an inventor of the rubella vaccine, dies at 91 - The Washington Post

A team of researchers at BHU in a one-year follow-up study found out that nearly one-third of 926 individuals who received Bharat Biotech's anti-Covid vaccine Covaxin reported 'adverse events of special interest,' or AESI. An AESI is an event that occurs in some people post immunisation that has the potential to be causally associated with a vaccine product. (Also read: 1 in 3 Covaxin takers reported adverse events, BHU study claims)

Serious AESI, including stroke and Guillain-Barre syndrome, was reported in around one per cent of individuals as per the study. New-onset skin and subcutaneous disorders, general disorders, and nervous system disorders were the three most common disorders observed in adolescents after receiving the vaccine. Guillain-Barre syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that causes weakness in nerves in the arms and legs. An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or reduced.

The study published in the Journal of Springer Nature looked at the long-term safety of the BBV152 (Covaxin) vaccine in adolescents and adults.

The study that was conducted from January 2022 to August 2023 mentioned that nearly 50 per cent of the sample size complained of infections during the follow-up period, predominated by viral upper respiratory tract infections.

However, Bharat Biotech in a statement in response to the study, said, "several studies have been executed on the safety of Covaxin, and published in peer-reviewed journals, demonstrating an excellent safety track record". The study involved 635 adolescents and 291 adults, who received the BBV152 vaccine.

"The creation of Covid-19 vaccines, such as Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, was essential to contain the pandemic. To guarantee patient safety and successfully address issues, it is crucial to monitor and comprehend the long-term adverse effects, just as with any medical operation," says Dr Vanita Arora, Senior Consultant Cardiac Electrophysiologist & Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Hospital, Delhi.

Research from Banaras Hindu University and other recent studies have shown that approximately one-third of subjects experienced AESI a year after using Covaxin. The most frequent of these occurrences, which varied in severity, were viral upper respiratory tract infections. Reports of severe AESI, like stroke and Guillain-Barr syndrome, were more worrisome.

Dr Arora shares the possible side effects of Covaxin and whether those who got jabbed needed to worry:

Significant concerns are raised by strokes described as AESI, particularly in patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Although the exact pathophysiological processes relating vaccinations to stroke remain unclear, it is possible that they entail an immune-mediated process that aggravates underlying vascular problems. Patients should be especially careful if they have a history of atrial fibrillation, diabetes, or hypertension. It is advised to keep cardiovascular risk factors under control and to undergo routine follow-ups. It is crucial to consider the danger in its proper context, though, as the risk of severe consequences from Covid-19 alone is still much higher than the rate of stroke following immunisation.

Although the incidence rate of GBS post-Covaxin is minimal, it is worth emphasising that its prevalence is alarming. It is important to educate patients about the early signs of GBS, which include tingling feelings and weakness in the muscles so that they can seek medical assistance as soon as they appear.

"Following Covaxin treatment, adults with pre-existing medical issues seem to be more vulnerable to AESI. Patients suffering from long-term conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders should pay special attention to this. These people should keep up their routine health monitoring and notify their healthcare professional right if they experience any unexpected symptoms," says Dr Arora.

"While these adverse effects are important to consider, it's also important to weigh them against the advantages of vaccination. Hospitalisations, fatalities, and a reduction in the severity of Covid-19 infections have all been successfully avoided with the use of Covaxin. Significant Covid-19 consequences, such as chronic heart problems, are frequently more likely to occur than significant AESI, which is a relatively low risk," adds the expert.

"Ideally a vaccine should not have any side effects, but unfortunately we dont have an ideal vaccine to date. Vaccine-related adverse events usually happen rarely and get better with paracetamol and taking fluids. Nonetheless, the advantages of vaccination far surpass the risks by shielding us from severe health complications. AESIs, known as Adverse Events of Special Interest have been raised with certain patients who had Covaxin. If we analyse the effect of Covaxin on fight against COVID and compare them to certain adverse events in few patients, benefits clearly outweigh risk. It's therefore important not to fret or lose hope about these occurrences," says Dr Arunesh Kumar Head & Senior Consultant - Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Paras Health.

(With inputs from PTI)

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.

Read more:

Covaxin side effects: Amid concerns of adverse events, should Covaxin takers be worried? - Hindustan Times

Moderna said Friday that the European Patent Office has upheld the validity of one of its key patents, a victory in a continuing dispute with Pfizer and BioNTech over rival COVID-19 vaccines.

Cambridge-based Moderna has been fighting Pfizer and BioNTech in the courts over the partners COVID shot, called Comirnaty. Moderna sued them in 2022 for allegedly copying its messenger RNA technology.

Pfizer and BioNTech, its German business partner, filed a countersuit, alleging that Modernas patent was invalid.

Comirnaty and Modernas vaccine, Spikevax, generated billions of dollars during the pandemic. But revenues have plunged as the health threat receded and there was tepid interest in booster shots.

We are pleased that the European Patent Office decided to maintain the validity of Modernas EP949 patent, one of the key patents currently asserted against Pfizer and BioNTech in various European national courts, Moderna said in a statement to the Globe.

Moderna said it expected that Pfizer-BioNTech will appeal the decision. New York-based Pfizer told Reuters that it was disappointed in the decision and would consider all legal options.

Irrespective of the outcome of this legal matter, we will continue to manufacture and supply the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer said in a statement to Reuters.

The oral decision was handed down on Thursday, according to the Financial Times, which was the first to report the matter. A written decision is expected to be published in the coming months.

Modernas stock was largely unchanged on Friday, rising 0.17 percent to close at $132.90.

Jonathan Saltzman can be reached at jonathan.saltzman@globe.com.

Continued here:

Moderna wins a battle in vaccine patent dispute with Pfizer-BioNTech - The Boston Globe

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Amidst concerns around TTS or Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, the side effect the drug maker has admitted in court documents, one more side effect has come to the fore in connection with AstraZeneca's COVID vaccine.

As per a report, AstraZeneca's COVID vaccine can also cause VITT or Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis, a blood clotting disorder.

According to the American Society of Hematology, signs of VITT develop 4 to 42 days after vaccination. The key signs are severe headache, visual changes, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, back pain, shortness of breath, leg pain or swelling and easy bruising.

World Hypertension Day: Unraveling the escalating crisis of hypertension amongst youth

A 2022 study published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, highlights the occurrence of VITT. "Vaccination is supposed to be the most reliable means to end the COVID 19 pandemic, but recently there have been reports of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia in patients receiving the vaccine especially ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca University of Oxford and Serum Institute of India). This has been termed as vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) and vaccine-induced prothrombotic immune thrombocytopenia (VIPIT)," it says. "The incidence of VITT ranges widely from one case per 26,000 to one case per 127,000 doses of AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD administered in countries like Norway and Denmark reporting the highest rates," the report by researchers from the Department of Medicine, Tata Main Hospital, Bistupur, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India adds.

Development of symptoms 442 days after exposure to COVID vaccine.

Venous or arterial thrombosis at any site.

Thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150 109/L).

Positive platelet-factor 4 heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (PF4 HIT) by ELISA.

D-dimer elevated at least four times the upper limit of normal.

In VITT, individuals make antibodies that stick to one of the bodys own proteins called the PF4 or the platelet factor 4. This results in the formation of large structures called immune complexes. A Conversation report explains: These complexes bind to and activate small cells called platelets that are vital for blood clotting. Normally, platelets float around in the blood in an inactive state, but once activated they spread out, get very sticky, and spew out hundreds of different chemicals. In VITT, platelets are strongly activated and this causes blood clots. The blood clots commonly affect the veins surrounding the brain, which is a very unusual and rare site for clots. Many people with VITT reported excruciating headaches, which continue to affect survivors.

Go here to see the original:

Another side effect linked with AstraZeneca COVID vaccine: All about VITT - The Times of India

Gayle Borne has fostered more than 300 children in Springfield, Tennessee. Shes cared for kids who have rarely seen a doctor kids so neglected that they cannot speak. Such children are now even more vulnerable because of a law Tennessee passed last year that requires the direct consent of birth parents or legal guardians for every routine childhood vaccination. Foster parents, social workers, and other caregivers cannot provide permission.

In January, Borne took a foster baby, born extremely premature at just over 2 pounds, to her first doctors appointment. The health providers said that without the consent of the childs mother, they couldnt vaccinate her against diseases like pneumonia, hepatitis B, and polio. The mother hasnt been located, so a social worker is now seeking a court order to permit immunizations. We are just waiting, Borne said. Our hands are tied.

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Excerpt from:

How the anti-vaccine movement pits parental rights against public health - The Daily News Online

Another side effect linked with AstraZeneca COVID vaccine: All about VITT Amid concerns about Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a side effect acknowledged by the drug maker in court documents, another side effect has emerged linked to AstraZeneca's COVID vaccine. According to a report, AstraZeneca's COVID vaccine may also cause Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis (VITT), a blood clotting disorder. Can you avert hypertension if it runs in the family? Hypertension is often called the silent killer, especially when it runs in the family. Having a first-degree relative with this condition significantly increases your risk of developing it. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is strongly influenced by genetic factors, making first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and children) of hypertensive individuals more susceptible. Kartik Aaryan drops to just 7% body fat for Chandu Champion: Heres what it means to reduce body fat Kartik Aaryan reduces body fat to just 7% for his new project 'Chandu Champion'. It is important to know what to reduce body fat. Reducing body fat improves metabolic health, decreases the risk of heart disease, enhances physical performance, and alleviates joint stress. It also boosts energy, improves mood, and supports hormonal balance. Overall, it promotes better health, longevity, and a higher quality of life. Is 140/ 90 mmHg blood pressure normal? When the blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher, it is classified as hypertension. Sub 120/80 mmHg is considered normal blood pressure. The four categories for blood pressure readings are as follows: stage 1 hypertension (130-139/80-89 mmHg), stage 2 hypertension (140/90 mmHg), raised (120-129/<80 mmHg), and normal (<120/80 mmHg). Fitness and diet secrets from 'Bridgerton' star Banita Sandhu Fans were delighted to see October's "Shiuli Iyer '' in the American historical romance television series "Bridgerton ''. Banita's social media profile is proof of how much the 26 year old actor loves being active. She is very active in off-beat outdoor activities like horse riding. Let's learn the secret behind Banita's glowing skin and fit physique. Why must you chew food 32 times? Chewing food 32 times aids digestion by breaking down food into smaller pieces, increasing nutrient absorption, and reducing digestive strain. It promotes satiety, helping to prevent overeating and supporting weight management. Thorough chewing also enhances saliva production, which contains enzymes crucial for the digestive process. What makes jeera pani the ultimate health drink? Jeera pani, or cumin water, aids digestion, relieves bloating, and reduces acidity. It boosts metabolism, aiding weight loss, and enhances detoxification. Rich in antioxidants, it supports immune health and regulates blood sugar levels. Drinking jeera pani can also improve hydration and promote overall wellness.

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TOI Health News Morning Briefing| A new side effect of AstraZeneca COVID vaccine found, how to prevent hy - The Times of India

The researchers claimed on Thursday that British-Swedish pharma giant AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine, made in collaboration with Oxford University has been found to raise the risk of vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT), which is a rare but fatal blood clotting disorder, reports news agency IANS. VITT emerged as a new disease following adenovirus vector-based Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine-sold as Covishield in India and Vaxzevria in Europe-at the height of the Covid pandemic in 2021.

"An unusually dangerous blood autoantibody directed against a protein termed platelet factor 4 (or PF4)" was found as the reason for VITT.

In separate research in 2023, scientists from Canada, North America, Germany and Italy described a virtually identical disorder with the same PF4 antibody that was fatal in some cases after natural adenovirus (common cold) infection. In a new research now, Flinders University in Australia and other international experts found that the PF4 antibodies in both adenovirus infection-associated VITT and classic adenoviral vector VITT share identical molecular fingerprints or signatures.

"Indeed, the pathways of lethal antibody production in these disorders must be virtually identical and have similar genetic risk factors," said Professor Tom Gordon from FlindersThe researcher noted that the "findings have the important clinical implication that lessons learned from VITT are applicable to rare cases of blood clotting after adenovirus (a common cold) infections, as well as having implications for vaccine development".

In 2022, the same team had in a study "cracked the molecular code of the PF4 antibody and identified a genetic risk factor".

Their new findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, also have important implications for improving vaccine safety. The research comes after AstraZeneca "accepted, in a legal document submitted to the High Court in February, that its Covid vaccine 'can, in very rare cases, cause Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Syndrome (TTS)."

TTS is a rare side effect that can cause people to have blood clots and a low blood platelet count.

(With input from agencies)

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Covid-19 Vaccine By AstraZeneca Related To Another Fatal Blood Clotting Disorder - Jagran English