Category: Vaccine

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Former CIUSSS worker pleads guilty to creating fake COVID-19 vaccine proof - Montreal Gazette

Erskine Palmer / CDC

The benefits of vaccinating vulnerable preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) against diarrhea-causing rotavirus outweigh the risks, according to a USstudy being presented this weekend at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2024 Meeting in Toronto.

The finding that rotavirus vaccination doesn't cause significant hospital outbreaks is important because many NICUs don't give the vaccine because of fears of viral transmission (the vaccine contains a weakened form of rotavirus), and some babies are too old to receive it after NICU release, researchers from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) said in a PAS news release.

The researchers assessed the risk of vaccinated infants spreading highly contagious rotavirus to unvaccinated babies in NICUs that administer the vaccine. They analyzed 3,448 weekly stool samples from 774 newborns from January 2021 to January 2022.

Less than 1% of unvaccinated infants exposed to vaccinated babies contracted rotavirus, and their symptoms resolved after 2 weeks.

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Rotavirus vaccination not tied to NICU outbreaks, researchers say - University of Minnesota Twin Cities

US Readies Vaccines for Potential Spread of Bird Flu Among Humans

Amid concerns over a strain of bird flu circulating in dairy cows potentially spreading to humans, US federal health officials have announced readiness to deploy vaccines should the need arise, according to NBC News. Although there's currently no evidence of person-to-person transmission, preparations are underway given the virus' prevalence in dairy herds across several states. Vaccine candidates are already available, with plans to ship hundreds of thousands of doses within weeks if the situation escalates.

Walmart to Close Health Centers Amid Retail Health Challenges

Walmart's decision to close its Walmart Health centers in 5 states, along with its virtual care services, reflects the significant challenges retail players face in disrupting primary care, according to Fierce Healthcare. The closure of all 51 health centers underscores issues related to sustainability, profitability, and operational costs. This move has marked a dramatic shift from the retailer's earlier plans to expand its health care footprint, aligning with similar struggles faced by other retailers like Walgreens as they scale back their primary care clinic chains.

Arizona Lawmakers Repeal Civil WarEra Abortion Ban Amid Political Fallout

Arizona lawmakers voted to repeal the state's long-standing Civil Warera abortion ban, according to Politico. The repeal preserves access to abortion for millions of women and marks a significant shift from previous efforts to uphold the 1864 ban. Democrats had been leveraging the ban to rally support ahead of the November election, but Republicans, fearful of electoral consequences, ultimately joined Democrats in passing the repeal.

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What We're Reading: Bird Flu Vaccines; Walmart Health Shut Down; Arizona Repeals Abortion Ban - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network

In the late 20th century, Switzerland faced a formidable public health challenge: rabies. This deadly virus, primarily transmitted through the bites of infected animals, poses a significant threat to both wildlife and humans. The Swiss authorities, determined to combat the disease, devised an innovative and unconventional strategy: air-dropping vaccine-laced chicken heads across the countrys forests and countryside. The operation was set against the backdrop of a Europe grappling with rabies outbreaks, particularly in wild fox populations. Switzerlands approach was groundbreaking. In the 1960s and 1970s, the countrys Federal Veterinary Office ordered that chicken heads stuffed with vaccine be placed on the ground in high-risk areas. This method was not only inventive but also effective, marking the beginning of a campaign that would eventually lead to the eradication of rabies in Switzerland. The bait, designed to attract foxes, was laced with a vaccine that, once ingested, would immunize the animal against rabies. The strategy relied on the natural behavior of foxes to scavenge for food, thus ensuring the vaccines distribution among the target population. The use of aerial distribution methods allowed for a wide coverage area, reaching even the most remote and inaccessible regions where foxes roamed. This method of vaccination was a departure from traditional approaches, which often involved trapping and inoculating individual animalsa labor-intensive and less efficient process. By contrast, the Swiss method allowed for mass vaccination of wildlife without the need for direct human-animal contact, significantly reducing the risk of transmission to veterinarians and wildlife officers.

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Representative image

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Switzerland eradicated rabies by air dropping chicken heads! - The Times of India

As the flu season approaches, experts are advocating annual Influenza vaccination for all children aged 6 months to 5 years of age as it is a known fact that the symptoms of influenza virus and Covid-19 tend to mimic each other, leading to fear and anxiety among parents of young children. The flu shot acts as a vital defense, significantly reducing the risk of influenza-related complications in children so, read on as we help you to understand the importance of flu vaccination for children before monsoon.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Anish Pillai, Lead Consultant- Neonatology and Paediatrics at Motherhood Hospitals in Kharghar and Navi Mumbai, shared, Even though monsoon is known to provide that much-needed relief from the scorching summer heat, it is known to set the stage for a plethora of health problems, one of them being the common cold or flu infection. Flu cases in children are common in every household during the rainy season. Thus, managing a child with runny nose, cough, and fever has become a part and parcel of a parents life.

Dr Anish Pillai answered, Influenza or flu is a contagious viral infection that takes a toll on the airways and lungs of a child and is the most common respiratory illness seen in children during monsoon. Flu leads to discomfort, and school absenteeism in children and impacts their quality of life. Also, some children may encounter severe symptoms such as breathlessness, hypoxia, irritability, and decreased appetite, requiring hospital admission. The flu virus spreads through the droplets released when a patient with flu tends to cough, sneeze or even talk. Hence, by being around an infected person, one can be at a greater risk of acquiring the flu.

He explained, The droplets in the air can spread up to about 7 feet away and reach others who are in the vicinity. So, for kids going to daycare or school, the monsoon season becomes a constant cycle of repeated flu infections and recovery. The flu vaccine not only protects the child but also shields those around them, including older family members and classmates. Flu vaccines are meticulously developed each year to target prevalent strains, ensuring best protection. The traditional flu shot contains inactivated (killed) flu viruses (influenza A and B), making it extremely safe and efficacious.

Dr Anish Pillai elaborated, Parents should not skip the flu vaccination fearing side effects, as they are minimal in the form of fever, headache and swelling for a day or two at the injection site. Getting vaccinated against Influenza annually will boost immunity and prevent severe symptoms or complications. So, parents, what are you waiting for? Schedule an appointment with the Pediatrician today and get your child vaccinated without any further delay to help him/her have a healthy monsoon. Other measures: To prevent flu, parents should teach children to cover their mouth and nose while coughing/ sneezing, wash hands regularly, maintain a safe distance from people, wear a mask if unwell, avoid crowded places or being around sick people and eat a nutritious diet to boost immunity.

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Why flu vaccines are needed before summer ends and rainy season begins? - Hindustan Times

May 03, 2024 -Research presented at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Global Congress in Barcelona on April 27, 2024, revealed that a dose-sparing mpox vaccine regimen offered the same antibody response as the standard protocol at six weeks, deeming the dose-sparing method as safe and effective.

While mpox originated in West, Central, and East Africa, with the first human cases identified in the 1970s, a recent resurgence of the virus in May 2022 presented a global threat. The 2022 outbreak was tied to the clade IIb strain of the virus, impacting communities far beyond the historically affected regions.

Rapid efforts from the biopharmaceutical industry and FDA helped address this epidemic by approving a mpox vaccine: the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN, sold as JYNNEOS) vaccine. The vaccine is a two-dose series given four weeks apart, with maximum protection occurring two weeks after the final vaccine. The CDC recommends the vaccine for certain populations at greater risk of contracting the virus, including men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender, gender non-binary, or gender-diverseindividuals who have had one or more sexually transmitted infections or more than one sexual partner in the past six months. However, much like other highly demanded pharmaceutical products, the mpox vaccines are in short supply.

To address the supply chain issues, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a subset of the NIH, sponsored a study that explored dose-sparing vaccine regimens to extend the existing supply.

The study recruited 225 adults between 18 and 50 years who were not vaccinated against mpox or smallpox across the United States. The randomized study assigned some participants to receive the FDA-approved vaccine regimen, one-fifth of the standard dose or one-tenth of the standard dose. The standard dose was delivered subcutaneously, while the dose-sparing alternatives were injected intradermally. All patients received a two-dose series 28 days apart.

Two weeks after the second dose, those given one-fifth of the standard dose had antibody levels that were comparable to those of the FDA-approved regimen. However, those who received one-tenth of the dose did not have similar benefits.

The NIH press release concluded that because there are no defined correlates of protection against mpox immune processes confirmed to prevent disease these findings cannot predict the efficacy of dose-sparing regimens with certainty. Real-world data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others have shown similar vaccine effectiveness for the dose-sparing regimen given intradermally and the standard regimen given subcutaneously. A study of the standard MVA-BN regimen in adolescents is ongoing and will report findings later this year.

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Dose-sparing mpox vaccine regimen is safe and effective - PharmaNewsIntel

New Delhi:

AstraZeneca, which developed and manufactured the Covid vaccine Covishield. recently admitted that the vaccine could cause TTS (a condition that may cause blood clots and low platelet count) as a side effect in some people. Since the news came out, social media has been abuzz with posts about Covishield, which was one of the two vaccines available in India during the pandemic. Some of these posts claim most Indians are at risk of TTS now. A fact check by The Healthy Indian Project (THIP) indicates that the claim is only half true. While the risk of TTS is true, the probability is "very rare".

The Claim

The Indian government has been blamed in multiple social media posts for allowing the Covishield vaccine in the country and putting people at risk for vaccination-induced Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS). This allegation stems from AstraZeneca's acknowledgment in UK court about the fact that their vaccines can cause rare side effects. One such post blaming the Indian government can be seen below:

Fact Check

What is TTS? What are its symptoms?

Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) is a serious health condition that causes low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) and clots blood (thrombosis) within the body. The condition is linked to adenovirus vector vaccines launched during Covid-19.

The noted symptoms of the condition range from shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling, severe and continuous headaches, and stomach aches. Affected persons suffer from easy bruising.

Do AstraZeneca Covid vaccines cause Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS)? Yes, but as a rare side effect. It is important to understand that as stated by the company and proven by earlier research, not everyone who was administered Astra Zeneca Covid vaccines will be affected with TTS.

The multinational pharmaceutical corporation AstraZeneca has admitted that its COVID-19 vaccine, AZD1222, may lead to a rare occurrence of decreased platelet levels and blood clot formation. AstraZeneca has acknowledged a connection between the vaccine and Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a medical condition distinguished by unusually low platelet levels and the development of blood clots. This statement comes in answer to lawsuits filed against the company in UK court. This is the same vaccine that is manufactured under the name Covishield in India.

The company has mentioned in its legal papers that though there is a chance for TTS to occur, it is "rare" and "uncommon".

How do Covishield and AstraZeneca relate to each other?

AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish pharmaceutical company, developed the COVID-19 vaccine in collaboration with Oxford University. The same vaccine is licensed for manufacture by the Serum Institute of India under the brand name Covishield. In Europe, the vaccine is sold under the brand name Vaxzevria. In short, both vaccines are identical in their formulation but are manufactured and distributed in different geographies.

AstraZeneca's vaccine is categorised under the adenovirus vector vaccine. Based on clinical trials, both of these vaccinations show 6080% protection against COVID-19 infection beginning two weeks following the second dosage.

Is the AstraZeneca vaccine the only vaccine related to Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS)?

No. TTS is linked to other Covid vaccines too. Johnson & Johnson's Covid vaccine named Janssen has also been linked with the condition. In 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) noted TTS as an adverse effect to adenovirus vector-based vaccines.

In a 2023 report by Yale Medicine hematologist Robert Bona, MD, explained, "Those clots typically occur in individuals who are bedridden, hospitalized, or have other medical issues related to inflammation, infection, or cancer."

So, the current revelation is not completely new.

Is the Covishield-vaccinated Indian population at risk of acquiring TTS?

A little. But there is still no reason to panic.

It should be made clear that Covishield, the Indian version of AstraZeneca, is the most widely administered Indian vaccine. There have been a limited number of cases of TTS so far reported across the country in the last few years. If there were large-scale deaths due to TTS resulting from vaccination, it surely would have been noticed and reported in the media.

It also needs to be understood that Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), including vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), is an extremely rare side-effect mostly seen post-initial vaccination. Earlier research has also shown that other vaccine-induced complications like CVST, have not yet been documented in India despite the widespread use of Covishield.

Vaccinations have been demonstrated to be highly effective and safe in halting the COVID-19 pandemic; however, there is a remote chance of rare adverse effects such as TTS and VITT. Early diagnosis and prompt intervention are key for patient management. It should be emphasized that the safety profiles of the vaccines are meticulously monitored by the regulatory authorities.

Saying that all Indians are at risk of dying due to Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) and that it has been a government failure, is an exaggeration of the entire situation and misleading.

The Healthy Indian Project (THIP) is a member of the World Health Organization's Vaccine Safety Net (VSN) and provides accurate information about vaccines. We have already fact-checked the accuracy of several COVID-19 vaccination-related claims that have been circulated on social media. These mostly include the claims that vaccines are poisonous, harmful to the brain, and more damaging than preventive.

Are side-effects common with all vaccines?

Yes. Mild side effects are not very uncommon for most vaccines. But these side effects like fever and pain are temporary. In the case of vaccinations, most medical professionals believe the side effects are far lesser compared to the benefits the vaccines provide.

As per the website of the World Health Organization (WHO), "Vaccines are very safe. Like any medicine, vaccines can cause side effects. However, these are usually very minor and of short duration, such as a sore arm or a mild fever. More serious side effects are possible but extremely rare".

Should you be concerned if you are vaccinated with Covishield?

No. As of now, there is no reason to panic.

Dr. Jayadevan, Co-Chairman of the National Indian Medical Association (IMA) Covid Task Force in Kerala, told ANI, "It's a rare occurrence following specific types of vaccines and other causes." Also, in rare cases when TTS is reported, it is mostly within a few weeks of vaccinations. So, stay vigilant and consult a doctor in case you face any of the symptoms of TTS.

(This story was originally published by THIP Media, and republished by NDTV as part of the Shakti Collective.)

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Fact Check: Are Indians Who Got Covishield Vaccine Susceptible To TTS? - NDTV

Angle down icon An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down. Yang Xiaoming speaks during 2020 Zhongguancun (ZGC) Forum on September 18, 2020 in Beijing, China. Hou Yu/China News Service via Getty Images

The chief researcher of China's first general-use COVID vaccine was ousted last week from the country's highest organ of power.

Yang Xiaoming, 62, was booted on April 23 from the National People's Congress "due to serious discipline and law violations," state media reported this weekend.

The phrase typically means a person is under investigation for corruption in China.

That means Yang, the chairman of Sinopharm's vaccine subsidiary China National Biotec Group, is no longer one of the nearly 3,000 congressional deputies who make decisions on major national issues.

A congressional report on his dismissal said he served on the Ethnic Affairs Committee.

Yang is a medical researcher who led the Sinopharm team that developed the BBIBP-CorV vaccine, a COVID-19 shot that was the nation's first approved for general use.

Known colloquially as the Sinopharm vaccine, the shot was one of the most widely administered COVID-19 shots in China, with an efficacy of 79% against hospitalization.

Apart from developing the Sinopharm shot, Yang was also the head of China's vaccine project under the 863 program, or Beijing's push to make the country more independent by developing homegrown advanced technologies.

Yang's dismissal has gone viral on Weibo, China's version of X, with thousands of posts questioning the circumstances behind his removal from deputy status. It received around 180 million views and, for several hours, was the platform's hottest topic on Sunday.

The discussion soon morphed into wild speculation that the reason behind his dismissal may have been related to the Sinopharm vaccine, though there has been no evidence to indicate as such.

"The father of the Sinopharm vaccine violated regulations and laws, but it doesn't mean there are problems with the vaccines he developed and produced," wrote "Dr Chen," a popular medical blogger. "Let's wait before panicking."

The announcement about Yang comes amid China's sweeping crackdown on corruption in its healthcare sector, with investigations launched against hundreds of hospital deans and secretaries.

It's been the heaviest disciplinary campaign ever enforced on China's healthcare industry, plagued for years by thousands of commercial bribery cases between pharmaceutical suppliers and healthcare providers.

In August, the anti-corruption campaign caused pharmaceutical A-share stocks in China to fall so sharply that it wiped out an estimated $27 billion market value within one day.

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China ousts chief scientist for COVID vaccine, citing corruption - Business Insider

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In 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in its report that TTS emerged as a new adverse event following immunisation in individuals vaccinated with COVID-19 non-replicant adenovirus vector-based vaccines. This refers to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 ChAdOx-1 vaccine and the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Janssen COVID-19 Ad26.COV2-S vaccines.

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AstraZeneca admits its COVID vaccine, Covishield, can cause rare side effect - The Times of India

Physicians are unequivocal about who is the big kahuna in the vaccine industry. Asked to rank vaccine manufacturers on five metrics, physicians produced a leaderboard that reads Pfizer, yawning gap, Merck.

ZoomRx generated the ranking by asking 50 physicians to name the top vaccine manufacturers in five areas: reputation, innovation, patient centricity, promotions and HCP centricity. The doctors ranked 13 vaccine manufacturers, but the same name kept appearing toward the top of their lists, regardless of the metric being assessed.

Around 80% of respondents ranked Pfizer as one of the top three companies in every category. Merck came closest to keeping pace with Pfizer but was still a long way back. The closest Merck got to Pfizer was in the innovation and patient centricity categories, where the front-runner had a 23 percentage point lead over second place.

Pfizer leads by a huge margin across all metrics, ZoomRx wrote in its assessment of the results. Their quick response to the pandemic with the COVID-19 vaccine is still holding high regards and recognition.

As ZoomRx noted, Pfizers vaccine team followed up its pandemic success with three launches last year. The Big Pharma entered the nascent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) space with Abrysvo, added Prevnar 20 to its successful pneumococcal franchise and broke new ground with its meningitis vaccine Penbraya. Pfizers CEO bemoaned the bad launch of Abrysvo, but sales still hit $515 million in the fourth quarter.

Pfizers rivals for the COVID-19, RSV and pneumococcal markets feature in the chasing pack. Merck came in second on four of the five metrics, only slipping to third place behind Moderna on the reputation rank. Moderna and GSK fought for third place across the other categories. Sanofi was fifth on all the metrics.

Discussing opportunities open to manufacturers, ZoomRx said physicians look for players with a broad portfolio of vaccines that elicit strong responses and provide long-lived immunity for a large population. The analysts also see scope to gain ground by establishing patient assistance programs and working with healthcare professionals to increase access to vaccines.

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Pfizer takes top spot in docs' vaccine ranking by 'huge margin' - FiercePharma