Vaccines

8/20/21

COVID-19: Another 407,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine arrive in Kenya

Source: KMoH

Kenya’s quest to vaccinate her entire adult population received a shot in the arm on Tuesday after a further 407,000 doses of the Astrazeneca Covid-19 vaccine arrived in the country....

8/20/21

8/9/21

A frontline health worker in Ethiopia shares her journey of caring for COVID-19 patients: How the COVID-19 vaccine encouraged her to do more with less fea

Source: WHO Africa

This is a story of a caseworker. Asmera confirms that although the work put her at high risk of contracting the disease, she was still very happy to be part...

WHAT WAS CLAIMED The vaccine is causing new daily cases of Covid-19 in the UK, or at least isn’t stopping them. OUR VERDICT Real world evidence and data from trials...

8/13/21

Vaccines reduce the risk of death but don’t eliminate it altogether

Source: Full Fact

WHAT WAS CLAIMED Unvaccinated people are not dying from Covid-19. OUR VERDICT This is untrue, unvaccinated people are dying from Covid-19.

Claim: A viral video shows a pet scanner detecting a microchip from the COVID-19 vaccine in a person's arm. Rating: False While this TikTok user may have meant this short...

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2103313?query=featured_coronavirus

Scaling Up Covid-19 Vaccination in Africa — Lessons from the HIV Pandemic

Source: 7/15/21

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2107715?query=featured_coronavirus

Effectiveness of an Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Chile

Source: 7/7/21

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2108891?query=featured_coronavirus

Effectiveness of Covid-19 Vaccines against the B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant

Source: 7/21/21

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2107058?query=featured_coronavirus

Prevention and Attenuation of Covid-19 with the BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 Vaccines

Source: 7/22/21

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2109072?query=featured_coronavirus

Covid-19 Breakthrough Infections in Vaccinated Health Care Workers

Source: 7/28/21

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/partial-covid-19-vaccination-summary

Partial COVID-19 vaccination, vaccination following SARS-CoV-2 infection and heterologous vaccination schedule: summary of evidence

Source: 7/22/21

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(21)00220-4/fulltext

BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine and correlates of humoral immune responses and dynamics: a prospective, single-centre, longitudinal cohort study in health-care workers

Source: 7/2/21

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01429-X/fulltext

Efficacy and safety of an inactivated whole-virion SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac): interim results of a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial in Turkey

Source: 7/8/21

Peer review article CoronaVac (Sinovac Biotech) has high efficacy (83.5%) against PCR-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 with a good safety and tolerability profile.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(21)00396-0/fulltext

Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of an aerosolised adenovirus type-5 vector-based COVID-19 vaccine (Ad5-nCoV) in adults: preliminary report of an open-label and randomised phase 1 clinical trial

Source: 7/26/21

https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1686

Covid-19: Millions could be offered booster vaccinations from September

Source: 7/2/21

https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1755

Covid-19: China’s CoronaVac vaccine offers 83.5% protection against symptomatic infection, interim analysis finds

Source: 7/9/21

Two doses of the new CoronaVac vaccine made in China have an efficacy of 83.5% against symptomatic Covid-19, an interim analysis has shown. The vaccine, developed by the Chinese company...

https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1893

Covid-19: Countries dump vaccines as demand slumps and sharing proves difficult

Source: 7/27/21

The US, the UK, and the Netherlands face throwing away tens of thousands of covid-19 vaccine doses that are due to expire. Over 3.5 billion vaccines have been distributed globally,...

https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1920

Covid-19: Pfizer vaccine’s efficacy declined from 96% to 84% four months after second dose, company reports

Source: 7/30/21

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine’s efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 peaked at 96.2% at seven days to two months after the second dose and then declined to 83.7% at four months, a preprint from...

https://www.cdc.gov/library/covid19/07022021_covidupdate.html

COVID-19 Science Update released: July 2, 2021 Edition 96

Source: 7/2/21

https://www.cdc.gov/library/covid19/07092021_covidupdate.html

COVID-19 Science Update released: July 9, 2021 Edition 97

Source: 7/9/21

https://www.cdc.gov/library/covid19/07162021_covidupdate.html

COVID-19 Science Update released: July 16, 2021 Edition 98

Source: 7/16/21

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/JJUpdate.html

CDC Recommends Use of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Resume

Source: 7/13/21

CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend use of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine resume in the United States, after a temporary pause.

https://www.cdc.gov/library/covid19/07232021_covidupdate.html

COVID-19 Science Update released: July 23, 2021 Edition 99

Source: 7/23/21

Report on 7 peer review articles The Black/White COVID-19 mortality ratio (in the US) has been declining and the driving force for the observed mortality convergence appears to be changes...

https://www.cdc.gov/library/covid19/07302021_covidupdate.html

COVID-19 Science Update released: July 30, 2021 Edition 100

Source: 7/30/21

https://africacdc.org/news-item/statement-on-the-remarkable-progress-made-by-several-african-countries-as-part-of-the-partnerships-for-african-vaccine-manufacturing-pavm/

Statement on the remarkable progress made by several African countries as part of the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM)

Source: 7/13/21

Strong political commitments were made to drive momentum for the African Union’s bold vision to manufacture about 60% of its vaccines on the continent by 2040, an initiative that will...

https://www.who.int/news/item/30-07-2021-joint-statement-of-the-multilateral-leaders-task-force-on-covid-19-vaccines-therapeutics-and-diagnostics-for-developing-countries-following-its-second-meeting

Joint Statement of the Multilateral Leaders Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines, Therapeutics, and Diagnostics for Developing Countries following its Second Meeting

Source: 7/30/21

There is concern that vaccine delivery schedules and contracts for COVAX, AVAT, and low and low-middle income countries are delayed or too slow. Less than 5% of vaccine doses that...

https://www.who.int/news/item/01-06-2021-who-validates-sinovac-covid-19-vaccine-for-emergency-use-and-issues-interim-policy-recommendations

WHO validates Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use and issues interim policy recommendations

Source: 7/1/21

https://www.who.int/news/item/15-07-2021-statement-on-the-eighth-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-pandemic

Statement on the eighth meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic

Source: 7/15/21

https://www.who.int/news/item/16-07-2021-updated-who-sage-roadmap-for-prioritizing-uses-of-covid-19-vaccines-in-the-context-of-limited-supply

Updated WHO SAGE Roadmap for prioritizing uses of COVID-19 vaccines in the context of limited supply

Source: 7/16/21

This interim guidance was initially issued in October 2020, based on advice from the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization; it has been updated following the discussions at...

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-vaccines-SAGE_recommendation-AZD1222-2021.1

Interim recommendations for use of the ChAdOx1-S [recombinant] vaccine against COVID-19 (AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine AZD1222 Vaxzevria™, SII COVISHIELD™)

Source: 7/30/21

These WHO interim recommendations on the use of the Astra Zeneca – Oxford University AZD1222 vaccine against Covid-19 were developed on the basis of advice issued by the Strategic Advisory...

https://www.who.int/news/item/30-07-2021-new-consortium-working-to-boost-vaccine-production-in-south-africa

New consortium working to boost vaccine production in South Africa

Source: 7/30/21

https://www.afro.who.int/news/africas-covid-19-surge-tops-second-wave-peak-vaccine-deliveries-pick

Africa’s COVID-19 surge tops second wave peak as vaccine deliveries pick up

Source: 7/8/21

Africa marked its worst pandemic week ever, surpassing the second wave peak during the seven days ending on 4 July 2021. Yet, as the COVID-19 cases climb sharply, there are...

https://www.afro.who.int/news/covid-19-vaccine-shipments-africa-ramp

COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Africa ramp up

Source: 7/29/21

COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Africa are rapidly ramping up from multiple sources after a near-halt to deliveries in recent months. Nearly 4 million doses from COVAX arrived in Africa last...

https://www.afro.who.int/news/arrival-johnson-and-johnson-vaccines-gambia

Arrival of Johnson and Johnson Vaccines in The Gambia

Source: 7/24/21

One hundred and fifty-one thousand, two hundred (151,200) doses of the Johnson and Jonson (J&J) vaccine arrived in Gambia under the COVAX facility on 20 July.

https://www.afro.who.int/news/leveraging-lessons-africas-covid-19-vaccine-rollout

Leveraging lessons from Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Source: 7/3/21

https://www.afro.who.int/news/inside-angolas-exemplary-covid-19-vaccination-hubs

Inside Angola’s ‘exemplary’ COVID-19 vaccination hubs

Source: 7/2/21

https://www.health.go.ke/kenya-received-a-further-180000-doses-of-astrazeneca-vaccine-nairobi-august-6/

Kenya received a further 180,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine. Nairobi August 6.

Source: 8/6/21

Kenya received a further 180,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine on 6 August 2021 in a boost to ongoing vaccination efforts amid increased Covid-19 cases across the country. The latest consignment,...

https://www.jwatch.org/na53841/2021/08/02/testing-coronavac-inactivated-sars-cov-2-vaccine-turkey

Testing CoronaVac, an Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine, in Turkey and Chile

Source: 8/3/21

https://www.jwatch.org/na53883/2021/08/04/how-well-does-covid-19-vaccination-protect-against-delta

How Well Does COVID-19 Vaccination Protect Against the Delta Variant?

Source: 9/4/21

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/ecdc-and-ema-update-covid-19

ECDC and EMA update on COVID-19

https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1962

Covid-19: WHO calls for booster shot ban until end of September

Source: 8/5/21

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7031e1.htm?s_cid=mm7031e1_x

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Adolescents Aged 12–17 Years — United States, December 14, 2020–July 16, 2021

Source: 8/6/21

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7032e1.htm?s_cid=mm7032e1_x

Reduced Risk of Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 After COVID-19 Vaccination — Kentucky, May–June 2021

Source: 8/6/21

https://africacdc.org/news-item/lafrique-annonce-le-deploiement-de-400-millions-de-doses-de-vaccins-dans-les-etats-membres-de-lunion-africaine-et-des-caraibes/

Africa announces deployment of 400 million doses of vaccine in African Union and Caribbean member states

Source: 8/5/21

On August 5, the first monthly shipments will arrive through the African Vaccine Acquisition Fund (AVAT), in several member states and will continue to reach a total of 6.4 million...

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7032e3.htm?s_cid=mm7032e3_x

Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines in Preventing Hospitalization Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years — COVID-NET, 13 States, February–April 2021

Source: 8/6/21

https://www.who.int/westernpacific/news/detail/06-08-2021-covid-19-vaccines-available-for-all-healthcare-workers-in-the-western-pacific-region

COVID-19 vaccines available for all healthcare workers in the Western Pacific Region

Source: 8/6/21

https://africacdc.org/news-item/african-vaccine-acquisition-trust-avat-announces-108000-doses-of-vaccines-arriving-in-mauritius-as-part-of-the-first-monthly-shipment-of-johnson-johnson-vaccines/

African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) announces 108,000 doses of vaccines arriving in Mauritius as part of the first monthly shipment of Johnson & Johnson vaccines

Source: 8/7/21

AVAT is pleased to announce the shipment of 108,000 of the Johnson & Johnson single-shot vaccines (JNJ-78436735/Ad26.COV2.S) to Mauritius on the 7th of August. This is part of a total...

https://www.afro.who.int/news/sierra-leone-welcomes-arrival-covid-19-vaccines-shipped-covax-facility

Source: Full Fact

Antibody dependant enhancement is a rare but genuine risk when it comes to creating new vaccines. There is good evidence that this does not occur with the current COVID-19 vaccines...

6/11/21

Possible link between Pfizer second dose and mild heart inflammation in young men

Source: Full Fact

Researchers reporting to the health ministry in Israel have found a possible link between mild myocarditis in young men and the second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

6/10/21

Source: WHO Africa

A story of a 69-year-old from Kumasi in the Ashanti Region reflecting on how the vaccine affected her and her family.

6/6/21

India faces a challenge with its mass vaccination efforts

Source: Lancet

Mass vaccination exercise in the middle of a pandemic has the potential to become a super-spreader event with reports of overcrowding in centres administering vaccines.

6/6/21

Bhutan: small nation, big ideas affecting respiratory health

Source: Lancet

Bhutan started its COVID-19 vaccination rollout on March 27, 2021. In two weeks, it had reached more than 90% of the adult population eligible for vaccination.

5/30/21

Covid-19 in Nepal: a lack of preparedness and a lack of vaccines

Source:

South Asian policymakers need to seriously plan for universal healthcare and consider universal basic income, if they are going to improve healthcare for the vast majority of people in the...

5/23/21

Having a Covid-19 vaccine doesn’t make you more vulnerable to the disease

Source: Full Fact

Claim: Covid-19 vaccines cause vaccine enhancement syndrome which makes you even more vulnerable to the disease. Verdict: This is not true.

5/23/21

COVID-19 Science Update released: May 21, 2021 Edition 90

Source: US CDC

Report on 6 peer review articles and 3 pre-release peer review articles.

16-05-2021

Vaccinating children against SARS-CoV-2

Source: BMJ

Opinion piece: Young people have been largely spared from severe COVID-19 so far and the value of childhood vaccination against respiratory viruses, in general, remains an open question.

2/9/21

Why we vaccinate incarcerated people first

Source: The Lancet

Incarcerated individuals are at high risk for Covid-19 transmission and severe disease. Congregate living settings, including jails and prisons, facilitate the rapid spread of infection.

2/9/21

Amitava Banerjee: Covid-19 in India—lockdown and vaccination drive only way forward

Source: BMJ

Only reducing the infection rate with a full suppression strategy via stringent lockdown will act quickly within days to reduce the daily death toll.

2/9/21

Covid-19: Vaccines will be tested against variants of concern after £29m funding boost from UK government

Source: BMJ

The efficacy of different COVID-19 vaccines against variants of concern, including those first identified in the UK and South Africa, will be assessed by Public Health England after a funding...

2/9/21

Covid-19: Sputnik vaccine rockets, thanks to Lancet boost

Source: BMJ

A Lancet paper seems to have given other countries confidence before the publication of the phase III trial (demonstrating the safety and effectiveness) 16 countries had authorised Sputnik V for...

2/9/21

Covid-19: India’s crisis is everyone’s crisis

Source: BMJ

While SARS-CoV-2 can circulate freely in Brazil, India, and elsewhere, new variants may undermine any nation’s vaccination strategy.

2/9/21

Thrombosis and bleeding after the Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccination

Source: BMJ

This study has been able to give a better understanding of how many people in the population have died from COVID-19, after AstraZeneca vaccine.

2/9/21

Arterial events, venous thromboembolism, thrombocytopenia, and bleeding after vaccination with Oxford-AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S in Denmark and Norway: population based cohort study

Source: BMJ

Peer review article Research into the ChAdOx1-S/AZD1222 (Oxford/AstraZeneca) vaccine show risks of venous thromboembolic (blood clotting) events were, however, small, and the findings should be interpreted in the light of...

2/9/21

CDC Recommends Use of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Resume

Source: US CDC

CDC and FDA recommend use of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine resume in the United States, after a temporary pause.

2/9/21

WHO lists Moderna vaccine for emergency use

Source: WHO

WHO listed the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA 1273) for emergency use, making it the fifth vaccine to receive emergency validation from WHO.

2/9/21

WHO welcomes Sweden’s announcement to share COVID-19 vaccine doses with COVAX

Source: WHO

Sweden announced that they will share 1 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine with the COVAX Facility to provide vaccines to people at risk in low-income countries.

2/9/21

Expanding reach: Addressing gender barriers in COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Source: WHO

During the largest global vaccine deployment in history, COVID-19 vaccination rollout must reach women, men, and gender-diverse people quickly and efficiently.

2/9/21

WHO Director-General commends United States decision to support temporary waiver on intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines

Source: WHO

WHO Director-General praised the commitment by the United States administration to end the pandemic as quickly as possible.

2/9/21

The Partnership for Healthy Cities supports COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach in 18 Cities

Source: WHO

Partnership cities in low- and middle-income countries were eligible to apply for this assistance and get grants of up to $50,000 to help promote or administer vaccinations.

2/9/21

WHO lists additional COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use and issues interim policy recommendations

Source: WHO

WHO today listed the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, giving the green light for this vaccine to be rolled out globally.

2/9/21

Vaccine supply crunch adds to risk of COVID-19 resurgence

Source: WHO Africa

Africa’s vaccination coverage is the lowest for any region of the world. Low vaccination coverage places African countries at higher risk of a massive upsurge in cases.

5/2/21

No evidence rapper DMX had Covid-19 vaccine before his death

Source: Full Fact

There’s no evidence DMX had a Covid-19 vaccine just before his heart attack and no evidence that Covid-19 vaccines cause heart attacks.

5/2/21

Viral Load in Breakthrough Infection After Receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

Source: NEJM

The authors defined 12 days after the first vaccine dose as the time when protective immunity develops. They also indicate that immunization results in lower viral burden and lower risk...

5/2/21

COVID-19 Vaccines: Facial Paralysis / CDC J&J Guidance

Source: NEJM

The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not appear to pose any higher risk for facial paralysis than other viral vaccines, according to an analysis in JAMA Internal Medicine.

5/2/21

Vaccines Protect Against COVID-19–Related Hospitalization in Older Adults

Source: NEJM

These data suggest that continuing to rapidly vaccinate U.S. adults ... will likely have a marked impact on COVID-19 hospitalization and might lead to commensurate reductions in post-COVID conditions and...

5/2/21

Beyond the First Dose — Covid-19 Vaccine Follow-through and Continued Protective Measures

Source: NEJM

Vaccination campaigns must not only address concerns about product safety but must also provide clear guidance about vaccine benefits.

5/2/21

EMA and ECDC join forces for enhanced post-marketing monitoring of COVID-19 vaccines in Europe

Source: EU CDC

The European Medical Agency and European Centre for Disease Control will jointly coordinate and oversee a number of observational studies which will be funded from the EU budget and conducted...

5/2/21

Objectives of vaccination strategies against COVID-19

Source: EU CDC

This document provides an overview of the possible goals of vaccination against COVID-19 and reflects on potential implications.

5/2/21

Symptom study app provides real-world data on COVID-19 vaccines

Source: The Lancet

This app is a community-led initiative designed to capture longitudinal data relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 4·5 million contributors.

5/2/21

Vaccine side-effects and SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination in users of the COVID Symptom Study app in the UK: a prospective observational study

Source: The Lancet

Systemic and local side-effects after Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccination in the UK occur at frequencies lower than reported in phase 3 trials.

5/2/21

Safety and immunogenicity of one versus two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2 for patients with cancer: interim analysis of a prospective observational study

Source: The Lancet

In patients with cancer, one dose of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine yields poor efficacy. Immunogenicity (the ability of a vaccine to provoke an immune response) increased significantly in patients with...

5/2/21

COVID-19 vaccines: building and maintaining confidence

Source: The Lancet

There is clear evidence of the benefits of all the approved COVID-19 vaccines, including AstraZeneca, for preventing serious COVID-19 and helping nations control the disease.

5/2/21

Covid-19: US authorises Johnson and Johnson vaccine again, ending pause in rollout

Source: BMJ

FDA has concluded that the known and potential benefit of the . . . vaccine outweigh[s] its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older.

5/2/21

Covid-19: Most people admitted to hospital after vaccination were infected before immunity could develop, research shows

Source: BMJ

This highlightes the importance of maintaining social distancing and understanding that immunity develops over time, researchers have said

5/2/21

Covid-19: US will send 60 million AstraZeneca doses abroad as domestic demand falls

Source: BMJ

The Biden administration has announced that the US will send as many as 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to countries in need.

5/2/21

Covid-19: One dose of vaccine cuts risk of passing on infection by as much as 50%, research shows

Source: BMJ

Adults infected with Covid-19 three weeks after receiving one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine were 38-49% less likely to pass the virus on to their household contacts than...

5/2/21

Covid-19: Booster vaccine to be rolled out in autumn as UK secures 60m more Pfizer doses

Source: BMJ

The UK will roll out a Covid-19 booster vaccine at the beginning of autumn in order to protect the most vulnerable ahead of winter.

5/2/21

Effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Vaccines Against COVID-19 Among Hospitalized Adults Aged ≥65 Years — United States, January–March 2021

Source: US CDC

In a multistate network of U.S. hospitals during January March 2021, receipt of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines was 94% effective against COVID-19 hospitalization among fully vaccinated adults and 64%...

5/2/21

Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People

Source: US CDC

A diagram showing which activities are more or less safe based on whether someone has been vaccinated or not.

5/2/21

CDC Recommends Use of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Resume

Source: US CDC

CDC and FDA recommend use of J&J COVID-19 vaccine in the United States after a temporary pause.

5/2/21

Anxiety-Related Adverse Event Clusters After Janssen COVID-19 Vaccination — Five U.S. Mass Vaccination Sites, April 2021

Source: US CDC

Vaccine providers should be aware of anxiety-related events after vaccination and observe all COVID-19 vaccine recipients for at least 15 minutes after administration.

5/2/21

Safety Monitoring of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine — United States, March–April 2021

Source: US CDC

A review of safety monitoring data found that 97% of reported reactions after the Jansen COVID-19 vaccine receipt were nonserious, consistent with preauthorization clinical trials data.

5/2/21

Immunization services begin slow recovery from COVID-19 disruptions, though millions of children remain at risk from deadly diseases – WHO, UNICEF, Gavi

Source: WHO

World Immunization Week highlighted the urgent need for a renewed global commitment to improving vaccination access and uptake.

5/2/21

Emerging lessons from Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Source: WHO Africa

WHO shine a light on key lessons emerging from African countries that have made strong progress, including Angola, Ghana, Mauritius and Rwanda.

4/25/21

Kenya to Acquire Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson Vaccines says CS Kagwe

Source: KMoH

Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has said the government was pursuing the acquisition of one million doses of vaccines each from Pfizer as well as Johnson and Johnson respectively...

4/25/21

Vaccine Clarification

Source: KMoH

In a statement, the Kenyan Ministry of Health’s National Taskforce for Vaccine Development clarifies some confusion over variance in Covishield vaccine dose administration.

4/25/21

EU Regulators Call for Warning on J&J COVID-19 Vaccine

Source: NEJM

EU said on Tuesday that the J&J vaccine should come with a warning about the rare risk for thrombosis with thrombocytopenia.

4/25/21

COVID-19 Vaccines: Safety in Pregnancy / J&J Data / Breakthrough Infections

Source: NEJM

Johnson & Johnson vaccine data results indicate that COVID-19 vaccination appears to be safe in the third trimester of pregnancy.

4/25/21

Further Information on Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Following SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination

Source: NEJM

Almost all patients with VITT had anti–platelet factor 4 antibodies, which activly disrupt the normal clotting process, counterintuitively.

4/25/21

Vaccine Breakthrough Infections with SARS-CoV-2 Variants

Source: NEJM

2 women out of a cohort of 417 persons who had received the second dose of Pfizer–BioNTech or Moderna vaccine identified with vaccine breakthrough infection.

4/25/21

Safety and Efficacy of Single-Dose Ad26.COV2.S Vaccine against Covid-19

Source: NEJM

A single dose of Ad26.COV2.S protected against symptomatic COVID-19 and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and was effective against severe–critical disease.

4/25/21

Preliminary Findings of mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine Safety in Pregnant Persons

Source: NEJM

Preliminary findings did not show obvious safety signals among pregnant persons who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. al, pregnancy, and infant outcomes.

4/25/21

Recombinant protein vaccines against SARS-CoV-2

Source: Lancet

It is not unusual for vaccine development programmes to encounter difficulties, or have a need to revisit the vaccine design or dosing regimen.

4/25/21

COVID-19 herd immunity by immunisation: are children in the herd?

Source: Lancet

Because individuals are not equally susceptible and contagious, current target to vaccinate 65–70% of the population for herd immunity might be an overestimate.

4/25/21

Safety and immunogenicity of an MF59-adjuvanted spike glycoprotein-clamp vaccine for SARS-CoV-2: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1 trial

Source: Lancet

This first-in-human trial shows that vaccine comprising MF59-adjuvanted (a chemical that helps create an emulsion of the active parts of the vaccine), spike protein all generated using mamalian cells, generates...

4/25/21

COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and effectiveness—the elephant (not) in the room

Source: Lancet

Vaccine efficacy is generally reported as a relative risk reduction (RRR).

4/25/21

Population immunity and vaccine protection against infection

Source: Lancet

The most direct pathway to population immunity is known as sterilising immunity. New study indicates the vaccine Pfizer-BioNTech provides substantial protection against infection

4/25/21

2021: the beginning of a new era of immunisations?

Source: Lancet

The Immunization Agenda 2030 provides a new global vision and strategy for vaccines for the next decade.

4/25/21

COVID-19 vaccines: building and maintaining confidence

Source: Lancet

Risk-benefit assessments for different groups should be redefined as safety data on rare events emerge.

4/25/21

Safety and immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 recombinant protein vaccine formulations in healthy adults: interim results of a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 1–2, dose-ranging study

Source: Lancet

In a trial of a new vaccine produced by Sanofi Pasteur, the lower than expected immune responses, especially in the older age groups, and the high generation of expected side...

4/25/21

COVID-19 vaccine coverage in health-care workers in England and effectiveness of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine against infection (SIREN): a prospective, multicentre, cohort study

Source: Lancet

Findings show that Pfizer-BioNTech can prevent both symptomatic and asymptomatic infection in working-age adults.

4/25/21

Interim findings from first-dose mass COVID-19 vaccination roll-out and COVID-19 hospital admissions in Scotland: a national prospective cohort study

Source: Lancet

Mass roll-out of first doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccines was associated with substantial reductions in the risk of hospital admission due to COVID-19 in Scotland.

4/25/21

Covid-19: Unusual blood clots are “very rare side effect” of Janssen vaccine, says EMA

Source: BMJ

The EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee has reviewed all available evidence including eight cases reported in the US, one of which had a fatal outcome. As of 13 April 2021...

4/25/21

Covid-19: Pregnant women should be offered Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, says UK advisory committee

Source: BMJ

Pregnant women should be offered the Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the rest of the population, with priority based on age and clinical risk...

4/25/21

Covid-19: Infections fell by 65% after first dose of AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine, data show

Source: BMJ

Infections of SARS-CoV-2 fell by 65% after a first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, preliminary results from a large UK surveillance study indicate.

4/25/21

UPDATE: Statement to Member States regarding thromboembolic events after vaccination with Janssen COVID-19 vaccine (Johnson & Johnson)

Source: Africa CDC

Africa CDC released a statement of a safety signal for the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine following reports of extremely rare and unusual blood clots in combination with low platelets.

4/25/21

Statement on donation and distribution of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine through AVATT

Source: Africa CDC

In mid-March, AVATT shipped 925,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to 13 African Union Member States.

4/25/21

A safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is now available

Source: US CDC

US CDC comic strip about COVID-19 Vaccines

4/25/21

There are Different COVID-19 Vaccines

Source: US CDC

US CDC brief overview of COVID-19 vaccines

4/25/21

Continuing the fight: WHO donors and partners support COVID-19 response around the world

Source: WHO

Weekly highlight of the WHO’s activities in regions and countries with the support of Gavi, ECHO, Canada, USAID and other partners.

4/25/21

Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) review of latest evidence of rare adverse blood coagulation events with AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine (Vaxzevria and Covishield)

Source: WHO

TTS involving unusual and severe blood clotting events associated with low platelet counts reported after vaccination with COVID-19 Vaccines Vaxzevria and Covishield.

4/25/21

Statement of SAGE on Immunization: Continued review of emerging evidence on AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccines

Source: WHO

WHO continues to support the conclusion that the benefits of these vaccines outweigh the risks even after risk of Thrombosis has been added.

4/18/21

Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Linked to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

Source: NEJM

These studies provide evidence that the AstraZeneca vaccine can induce unusual autoantibodies that promote both thrombosis and thrombocytopenia (blood clotting event); however, incidence appears extremely low (

4/18/21

Encouraging Findings About SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination During Pregnancy

Source: NEJM

Study can be utilized by clinicians to encourage hesitant pregnant women to receive vaccines. Optimal vaccine timing in these cases require further study.

4/18/21

Helmet Non-invasive Ventilation Helped Patients with COVID-19 Avoid Intubation

Source: NEJM

Report on peer review article

4/18/21

CDC Advisers Recommend Continuing Pause on J&J COVID-19 Vaccine

Source: NEJM

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices decided on Wednesday to continue recommending that vaccine providers pause use of J&J adenovirus-vectored COVID-19 vaccine.

4/18/21

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine vs. the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Variant

Source: NEJM

Findings provide reassurance that, despite a drop-off in neutralizing antibody titers, the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine continues to protect from infection by B.1.1.7 (UK) variant.

4/18/21

Risk for Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Elevated After COVID-19 Diagnosis

Source: NEJM

In patients with COVID-19, the absolute risk for cerebral venous thrombosis (blood clots affecting the brain) in the 2 weeks after diagnosis was 39 events per million people — significantly...

4/18/21

Serum Neutralizing Activity Elicited by mRNA-1273 Vaccine

Source: NEJM

Protection conferred by the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine against the P.1 (Brazilian), B.1.427/B.1.429 (Californian), and B.1.351 (South African) variants remains to be determined.

4/18/21

SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response in Persons with Past Natural Infection

Source: NEJM

Whether or not persons who have already been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) should be vaccinated is unclear.

4/18/21

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia after Ad26.COV2.S Vaccination

Source: NEJM

Case study of a women who suffered extreme thrombosis and thrombocytopenia (types of blood clotting events) after receiving the Janssen vaccine.

4/18/21

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia after ChAdOx1 nCov-19 Vaccination

Source: NEJM

Vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (Oxford AstraZeneca) can result in the rare development of immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (type of blood clotting event) mediated by platelet-activating antibodies against PF4, which clinically mimics...

4/18/21

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia after Ad26.COV2.S Vaccination

Source: NEJM

A 48-year-old White woman with an unremarkable medical history presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of malaise and abdominal pain. The initial evaluation at another hospital showed...

4/18/21

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia after Ad26.COV2.S Vaccination — Response from the Manufacturer

Source: NEJM

Evidence is insufficient to establish a causal relationship between cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) (blood clotting event) and the Ad26.COV2.S (Oxford AstraZeneca) vaccine.

4/18/21

Serum sample neutralisation of BBIBP-CorV and ZF2001 vaccines to SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2

Source: The Lancet

Neutralisation activity in 24 serum samples from participants in two clinical trials, 12 who had been vaccinated with BBIBP-CorV and 12 who had been vaccinated with ZF2001 (two COVID-19 vaccines...

4/18/21

SARS-CoV-2 incidence and vaccine escape

Source: The Lancet

Reducing cases is not only beneficial for decreasing the pressure on health-care systems, but also for lowering the vaccine escape risk.

4/18/21

Pulmonary embolism and thrombocytopenia following ChAdOx1 vaccination

Source: The Lancet

A 51-year-old woman attended our emergency department with a 3-day history of dyspnoea, fatigue, and cough and was found to have severe thrombocytopenia (abnormally low level of platelets. 11 days...

4/18/21

Covid-19: Rare immune response may cause clots after AstraZeneca vaccine, say researchers

Source: BMJ

Two teams of researchers have published detailed observations of patients who developed thrombotic thrombocytopenia (a rare blood clotting disorder) after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine and have speculated about a possible...

4/18/21

Covid-19: EU investigates four reports of blood clots after Janssen vaccine

Source: BMJ

The EU is investigating four reported cases of unusual blood clots with low platelets in people who have received the J&J COVID-19 vaccine.

4/18/21

Covid-19: Chinese vaccines may need changes to improve efficacy, admits official

Source: BMJ

China may need to replace its coronavirus vaccines or change the way they are administered in order to make them sufficiently effective against the SARS-Cov2 virus.

4/18/21

Covid-19: US suspends Johnson and Johnson vaccine rollout over blood clots

Source: BMJ

US regulators have paused the rollout of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine after reports of a small number of blood clot cases in those who had been vaccinated.

4/18/21

Covid-19: Moderna and Novavax vaccines to be tested in mixing vaccines trial

Source: BMJ

The Moderna and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines will be added to a trial that is investigating the effect of mixing vaccines.

4/18/21

Covid-19: US reports low rate of new infections in people already vaccinated

Source: BMJ

The low rate of new infections in the US gives reassurance that the promising results seen in clinical studies of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which account for the overwhelming...

4/18/21

Thrombosis after covid-19 vaccination

Source: BMJ

At the time of writing, six cases of serious thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (a blood clotting event) had been reported after the use of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine....

4/18/21

Covid-19: India authorises Sputnik V vaccine as cases soar

Source: BMJ

India’s regulators authorised the Russian made Sputnik V vaccine for emergency use, making it the third COVID-19 vaccine to be made available.

4/18/21

Covid-19: Risk of cerebral blood clots from disease is 10 times that from vaccination, study finds

Source: BMJ

COVID-19 is associated with a far greater risk of cerebral venous thrombosis (blood clot of a cerebral vein in the brain) than the vaccinations that protect against it, early research...

4/18/21

Single dose of Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine produces strong antibody response in over 80s

Source: BMJ

A small study looking at people over 80 has found that a single dose of the Pfizer or Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine produces equivalent antibody responses five weeks after vaccination.

4/18/21

Covid-19: Vaccine woes highlight vital role of traditional public health

Source: BMJ

Vaccination remains a source of great hope, and in the UK the programme has showcased what the NHS can do when given the remit and resources. But, despite its early...

4/18/21

How will covid-19 vaccine safety concerns impact vaccine confidence?

Source: BMJ

Survey in the UK illustrates a drop in confidence in the safety of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine compared with two weeks previously.

Discussion of research articles A new vaccine, in development, that mimics the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is looking promising. Original paper published 29th Jan in the Lancet

14/02/2021

AZD1222 vaccine against COVID-19 developed by Oxford University and Astra Zeneca: Background paper (draft)

Source: WHO

This document provides the background evidence related to the Interim recommendations for use of the AZD1222 (ChAdOx1-S [recombinant]) vaccine against COVID-19 developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca.

Claim: Does the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine cause blood clots? We did not apply a traditional truth rating to this claim, as this matter is still under review. The European Medicines...

21/03/2021

Is Horseshoe Crab Blood Required for COVID-19 Vaccines?

Source: Snopes

Claim: The blue blood of horseshoe crabs is required for the production of COVID-19 vaccines. Rating: Partly true. A chemical compound found in the blood of horseshoe crabs is widely...

21/03/2021

Does Drinking Alcohol Impair Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccine?

Source: Snopes

Claim: Drinking alcohol between COVID-19 doses can impair the effectiveness of the immunization. Verdict: Research In Progress. There is currently no formal recommendations to avoid alcohol before or after receiving...

21/03/2021

KEMRI’s DG receives COVID-19 Vaccine jab

Source: KEMRI

KEMRI ‘s Acting Director General, Prof. Sam Kariuki received his Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine jab this Tuesday, 16th March 2021 at Mbagathi Hospital. The clinical trials which are on the third...

21/03/2021

CS KAGWE Receives more COVID-19 Vaccines from India

Source: KMoH

Health Cabinet Secretary Senator Mutahi Kagwe received 100,000 Astrazeneca vaccine consignments from India at JomoKenyatta International Airport on Thursday evening.

21/03/2021

CAS MWANGANGI gets COVID-19 jab

Source: KMoH

Chief Administrative Secretary Dr Mercy Mwangangi today received her COVID-19 vaccination at Kenyatta National Hospital.

21/03/2021

COVID-19 Vaccines: Blood Clot Investigation / All Adults Eligible by May / WHO Authorizes J&J Vaccine

Source: NEJM

Several European countries have temporarily halted use of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine after reports of blood clots in people recently vaccinated, news outlets report. The European Medicines Agency said that...

21/03/2021

Serum Neutralizing Activity Elicited by mRNA-1273 Vaccine

Source: NEJM

Report on peer reviewed article The Moderna (mRNA-1273) vaccine against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) elicited high neutralizing-antibody titers in phase 1 trial participants and has been...

21/03/2021

COVID-19 Vaccines: AstraZeneca on Blood Clots / Second-Dose Delivery / Skilled Nursing Facilities

Source: NEJM

AstraZeneca issued a statement on Sunday to reassure the public about the safety of its COVID-19 vaccine after several European Union countries halted its use over concerns about blood clots....

21/03/2021

COVID-19 Vaccines: AstraZeneca & B.1.351 / Response in Transplant Recipients / Moderna & Young Children

Source: NEJM

Report on peer reviewed article AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine does not appear to prevent infection from the B.1.351 variant, according to a study. Moderna says it has begun testing its mRNA...

21/03/2021

Allergic Reactions to COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines

Source: NEJM

Report on peer reviewed article Two reports reaffirm the low incidence of severe reactions to either mRNA vaccine — although we still need clarity about the mechanisms of anaphylactoid reactions...

21/03/2021

Weighing the Timing of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Vaccine’s Second Dose

Source: NEJM

Report on peer reviewed article Pooled analysis showed vaccine efficacies of 76.0% after a single dose of AZD1222 and 81.3% after a booster given ≥12 weeks after the first dose.

21/03/2021

COVID-19 Vaccines: WHO Recommends J&J, Says AstraZeneca Benefits Outweigh Risks

Source: NEJM

The WHO on Wednesday officially recommended Johnson & Johnson's single-dose COVID-19 vaccine for adults aged 18 years and older. The agency also said that it considers the benefits of the...

21/03/2021

How Well Does the Oxford/AstraZeneca Vaccine Stand Up Against the South African SARS-CoV-2 Variant?

Source: NEJM

Report on peer reviewed article In a trial in South Africa, the AZD1222 vaccine did not protect against mild-to-moderate COVID-19 caused by the B.1.351 variant. These findings reinforce the need...

21/03/2021

European Regulators: Benefits of AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Outweigh Potential Risks

Source: NEJM

The regulatory agency said that while the vaccine is not associated with overall risk for thromboembolic events, it could not rule out an increased risk for "very rare cases of...

21/03/2021

Free licensing of vaccines to end the COVID-19 crisis

Source: Lancet

Opinion piece Ideally, an agreement could be reached with the patent holders to make the relevant intellectual property available. However, if this agreement is not possible, compulsory licensing is possible...

21/03/2021

Vaccination and non-pharmaceutical interventions for COVID-19: a mathematical modelling study

Source: Lancet

Peer review article Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 offer a potential exit strategy for the pandemic, success is highly contingent on the precise vaccine properties and population uptake, both of which need...

21/03/2021

Covid-19: Stronger warnings are needed to curb socialising after vaccination, say doctors

Source: BMJ

Experts have called for stronger health warnings for people being vaccinated against COVID-19 after observing a rise in COVID-19 infections shortly after vaccination, suggesting that many people are letting their...

21/03/2021

Covid-19: AstraZeneca vaccine is not linked to increased risk of blood clots, finds European Medicine Agency

Source: BMJ

The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is not linked to an increased risk of blood clots and is both safe and effective, an investigation by the European Medicine Agency (EMA) has concluded....

21/03/2021

Covid-19 vaccine adverse events: balancing monitoring with confidence in vaccines

Source: BMJ

Opinion piece Suspension of the vaccine will have serious implications for vaccine confidence in general and, in particular, for global vaccination programmes. It has already heightened anxiety levels and affected...

21/03/2021

Restoring confidence after the covid-19 Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine pause will be an uphill battle

Source: BMJ

Opinion piece When a vaccine safety signal is detected, countries face a dilemma: suspend the programme now while investigations establish a causal link, or proceed with vaccinating people amidst fears...

21/03/2021

Covid-19: AstraZeneca vaccine is not linked to increased risk of blood clots, finds European Medicine Agency

Source: BMJ

The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is not linked to an increased risk of blood clots and is both safe and effective, an investigation by the European Medicine Agency (EMA) has concluded....

21/03/2021

Covid vaccine could be rolled out to children by autumn

Source: BMJ

While the global rollout of vaccines to adults continues apace, with more than 359 million doses of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 administered as of 15 March, health leaders and researchers have...

21/03/2021

Covid-19: What do we know about Sputnik V and other Russian vaccines?

Source: BMJ

Interim results (based on data so far from 14 964 participants in the vaccine group and 4902 in the placebo group) indicate that the vaccine is 91.6% effective, based on its...

21/03/2021

Covid-19: WHO says rollout of AstraZeneca vaccine should continue, as Europe divides over safety

Source: BMJ

The WHO and the European Medicines Agency have said that there does not seem to be an increased risk of blood clots with the vaccine and have advised that vaccinations...

21/03/2021

Statement to African Union Member States on the deployment of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine to the continent and concerns about adverse event reports coming from Europe

Source: Africa CDC

To date, there has been no causal link established between the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine and the events reported. Most importantly, the number of blood clots and bleeding disorders...

21/03/2021

WHO statement on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine safety signals

Source: WHO

WHO is in regular contact with the European Medicines Agency and regulators around the world for the latest information on COVID-19 vaccine safety. At this time, WHO considers that the...

21/03/2021

Statement of the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) COVID-19 subcommittee on safety signals related to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

Source: WHO

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (including Covishield) continues to have a positive benefit-risk profile, with tremendous potential to prevent infections and reduce deaths across the world. The available data do not...

21/03/2021

WHO Gambia Officially Hands Over Medical Supplies Worth USD 1 Million For COVID-19 Response

Source: WHO Africa

The WHO handed over medical supplies to the Ministry of Health of the Gambia, at Central Medical Stores, Banjul on the 16th March, 2021. The medical supplies donated on the...

21/03/2021

Africa’s COVID-19 vaccination gains pace, nearly 7 million doses given

Source: WHO Africa

Altogether, 38 African countries have received more than 25 million COVID-19 vaccines and 30 have started vaccination campaigns. Through the COVAX initiative – which is co-led by the Coalition for...

21/03/2021

Nigerian health workers take country’s first COVID-19 vaccine

Source: WHO Africa

The first phase of Nigeria’ national vaccination campaign targets healthcare workers and support staff, first responders and security agencies. Nigeria is slated to receive 84 million doses of the COVID-19...

21/03/2021

What is Africa’s vaccine production capacity?

Source: WHO Africa

COVID-19 vaccination in Africa is gathering pace, with more than 7 million doses so far administered. But the continent received vaccines later than other regions of the world and in...

28/03/2021

SARS-CoV-2 Infection after Vaccination in Health Care Workers in California

Source: NEJM

Opinion piece From December 16, 2020, through February 9, 2021, a total of 36,659 health care workers received the first dose of vaccine, and 28,184 of these persons (77%) received...

28/03/2021

National differences in vaccine hesitancy: a concern for the external validity of vaccine studies

Source: The Lancet

WHO named vaccine hesitancy as one of the top ten threats to global health in 2019; they identified complacency, convenience, and lack of confidence as key reasons underlying vaccine hesitancy....

28/03/2021

Operation Warp Speed: implications for global vaccine security

Source: The Lancet

Open access article In showing safety and efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and preparing companies for large-scale manufacturing, the US programme called Operation Warp Speed (OWS) has, by accident or design,...

28/03/2021

Communication combats hesitancy

Source: The Lancet

Opinion piece With COVID-19 vaccination programmes now underway in many countries, patients' concerns have shifted toward questions about the vaccines and whether they are safe for them to receive. The...

28/03/2021

People with mental illness should be included in COVID-19 vaccination

Source: The Lancet

Opinion piece According to this Occupation Safety and Health, Abu Dhabi health services policy, a person with generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, depression, or even stable psychosis could not be...

28/03/2021

Covid-19: Officials query data from AstraZeneca’s US vaccine trial

Source: BMJ

Officials from the monitoring board overseeing AstraZeneca’s latest covid-19 vaccine trial expressed concern that data released by the company this week may have been out of date and “provided an...

28/03/2021

Bringing covid-19 vaccines to high risk populations—like those who are homeless—requires a tailored approach

Source: BMJ

Opinion piece Ensuring effective access to vaccinations for people experiencing homelessness is essential to protecting public health and safeguarding the health of a vulnerable, yet often overlooked population. Achieving this...

28/03/2021

Covid-19: variants and vaccination

Source: BMJ

SARS-CoV-2 has been in the human population for more than a year now, causing severe disease in some and resulting in a pandemic that continues to put severe strain on...

28/03/2021

Covid-19: Vaccine hesitancy fell after vaccination programme started

Source: BMJ

Preliminary findings from University College London’s Virus Watch study suggest that 86% of those who were unsure about having the vaccine or planned to refuse it in December 2020 have...

28/03/2021

Maximising vaccine uptake in underserved communities: a framework for systems, sites and local authorities leading vaccination delivery

Source: NHS

This document provides a problem-solving framework, best practice, and practical guidance for implementing a range of interventions to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccination and drive uptake in underserved communities.

28/03/2021

COVID-19 Vaccines that Require 2 Shots

Source: US CDC

If you receive a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, you will need 2 shots to get the most protection. You should get your second shot even if you have side...

28/03/2021

WHO supports COVID-19 vaccine rollout, highlights women in health and boosts telemedicine during the pandemic thanks to donors

Source: WHO

COVAX vaccine shipments are beginning to reach countries in need, WHO celebrated International Women’s Day and telemedicine is showing promise for chronic conditions during COVID-19.

28/03/2021

Joint Statement on prioritization of COVID-19 vaccination for seafarers and aircrew

Source: WHO

Seafarers and aircrew need to be protected through vaccination as soon as possible, to facilitate their safe movement across borders. WHO also calls on governments to identify and prepare for...

28/03/2021

COVAX updates participants on delivery delays for vaccines from Serum Institute of India (SII) and AstraZeneca

Source: WHO

The COVAX Facility has notified participating economies that deliveries of doses from the Serum Institute of India (SII) will be delayed in March and April. Separately, participating economies in the...

28/03/2021

Medical Product Alert N°2/2021: Falsified COVID-19 Vaccine BNT162b2

Source: WHO

This WHO Medical Product Alert reports on a falsified COVID-19 Vaccine identified as “BNT162b2” detected in Mexico in February 2021 and recently confirmed as falsified to the WHO. This falsified...

28/03/2021

WHO urges equitable COVID-19 vaccine access to widen reach in Africa

Source: WHO Africa

Africa urgently needs more COVID-19 vaccine supplies as deliveries begin to slow down and initial batches are nearly exhausted in some countries. The continent has so far administered 7.7 million...

4/4/21

Delayed Large Local Reactions to mRNA-1273 Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2

Source: NEJM

Report on a phase 3 clinical trial of the mRNA-1273 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, providing information on immediate injection-site reactions, which were observed in 84.2% of the participants after the first...

4/4/21

Scaling Up Covid-19 Vaccination in Africa — Lessons from the HIV Pandemic

Source: NEJM

Opinion piece Concerns regarding access to Covid-19 vaccines in Africa are reminiscent of concerns raised about responding to the HIV pandemic in the mid-1990s and early 2000s, when highly active...

4/4/21

Outcomes in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients After the First Dose of Either SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine

Source: NEJM

Report on peer reviewed article While no safety issues arose, only 17% of transplant recipients developed detectable antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein after immunisation. Immunosuppressed patients generally respond less...

4/4/21

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine 100% Efficacious in Children Aged 12 to 15

Source: NEJM

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine already in use among adults has shown "100% efficacy and robust antibody responses" in adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15, the manufacturers announced on...

4/4/21

Lessons from COVID-19 Vaccination Programs in Healthcare Workers

Source: NEJM

Report on peer reviewed article The studies from Israel, Texas, and California illustrate the dramatic reductions in SARS-CoV-2 infections among health care workers following vaccination (and the results are congruent...

4/4/21

COVID-19 Vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech Efficacy at 6 Months / Moderna Variant Trial / J&J Delay

Source: NEJM

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has 91.3% efficacy against symptomatic illness diagnosed from 1 week to 6 months after the second dose of vaccine, the companies reported on Thursday. A version...

4/4/21

Prioritising COVID-19 vaccination in changing social and epidemiological landscapes: a mathematical modelling study

Source: The Lancet

The most effective vaccination strategy for reducing mortality due to COVID-19 depends on the time course of the pandemic in the population. For later vaccination start dates, use of SARS-CoV-2...

4/4/21

Covid vaccine: Prioritise over 16s living with immunosuppressed adults, says JCVI

Source: BMJ

People aged 16 or over who live with immunosuppressed adults should be prioritised for covid-19 vaccination alongside priority group 6 (people aged 16 to 65 who have a clinical condition...

4/4/21

Covid-19: Pfizer reports 100% vaccine efficacy in children aged 12 to 15

Source: BMJ

The Pfizer-BioNTech covid-19 vaccine has shown 100% efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in 12 to 15 year olds in the preliminary results of a phase III trial.

4/4/21

Covid-19: EMA defends AstraZeneca vaccine as Germany and Canada halt rollouts

Source: BMJ

The Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is facing a further wave of scepticism and restrictions as Canada and Germany halt its use in younger patients, citing reports of clotting disorders in...

4/4/21

Covid-19: Moderna and Pfizer vaccines prevent infections as well as symptoms, CDC study finds

Source: BMJ

Vaccination with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine reduces infections by 90%, while a single dose confers 80% protection, shows a study led by the US Center for Disease Control and...

4/4/21

Vaccination of adult household contacts of severely immunosuppressed individuals alongside JCVI priority Cohort 6 and completion of Cohorts 1-9

Source: NHS

Advice that adult household contacts of adults (over 16 years of age) with severe immunosuppression should be offered access to COVID-19 vaccination alongside priority group 6 (people aged 16 to...

4/4/21

Information About Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine

Source: US CDC

An overview of the Johnson and Johnson’s, Janseen Covid-19 Vaccine.

4/4/21

Interim Estimates of Vaccine Effectiveness of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 COVID-19 Vaccines in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Health Care Personnel, First Responders, and Other Essential and Frontline Workers — Eight U.S. Locations, December 2020–March 2021

Source: US CDC

Pre-release peer review article Under real-world conditions, mRNA vaccine effectiveness of full immunization (≥14 days after second dose) was 90% against SARS-CoV-2 infections regardless of symptom status; vaccine effectiveness of...

4/4/21

Science Brief: Background Rationale and Evidence for Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People

Source: US CDC

While some prevention measures will continue to be necessary regardless of vaccination status, fully vaccinated people without immunocompromising conditions that may reduce their response to vaccination may be able to...

4/4/21

Standardization of vaccines for coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Source: WHO

The listing explains how current WHO written standards may provide useful guidance and information for the development, production and evaluation of candidate COVID-19 vaccines.

4/4/21

The J&J COVID-19 vaccine: What you need to know

Source: WHO

The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunisation has issued Interim recommendations for the use of the Janssen Ad26.CoV2.S vaccine against COVID-19. The vaccine is safe and effective...

4/4/21

Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines

Source: WHO

COVID-19 vaccines are safe, and getting vaccinated will help protect you against developing severe COVID-19 disease and dying from COVID-19. You may experience some mild side effects after getting vaccinated,...

4/4/21

Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine

Source: WHO

Vaccines are a critical tool in the battle against COVID-19, and getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is safer...

4/4/21

Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines

Source: WHO

This article is part of a series of explainers on vaccine development and distribution. Vaccine safety is one of WHO’s highest priorities, and we’re working closely with national authorities to...

11/4/21

What’s going on with the AstraZeneca vaccine?

Source: Full Fact

In the period up until 31 March, 20.2 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine had been given in the UK, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) received...

11/4/21

Why you can’t compare deaths after a positive Covid-19 test with deaths after a vaccine

Source: Full Fact

The answer is that both types of death are assessed by a doctor, and they are quite different.

11/4/21

No, Pfizer’s CEO Did Not Refuse to Take the COVID-19 Vaccine

Source: Snopes

Claim: Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla refused to take the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Rating: False. Bourla has taken the vaccine.

11/4/21

CS Kagwe Briefs Media on the Update of COVID-19

Source: KKMoH

During the briefing the Health Cabinet Secretary announced that National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus have decided to terminate licenses for importation and administration of COVID-19 vaccinations by the private...

11/4/21

COVID-19 Outcomes in Pregnancy

Source: NEJM

Report on peer review article It is recommended to administer SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for pregnant people to protect both mother and neonate. We know that, during pregnancy, vaccines against infections such...

11/4/21

COVID-19 Vaccines: Graded Dosing Protocol / Antibody Persistence

Source: NEJM

Two patients who required treatment for hypersensitivity reactions to the first dose of the Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccine were able to receive their second dose without major complications when it...

11/4/21

COVID-19 Vaccines: EMA on AstraZeneca & Blood Clots / Variants / April 19

Source: NEJM

The European Medicines Agency stated that the occurrence of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (blood clots) should be considered a very rare side effect of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

11/4/21

SARS-CoV-2 Variants B.1.351 and P.1 Can Elude Neutralizing Antibodies

Source: NEJM

Report on peer review article Just as bacterial pathogens can develop antimicrobial resistance necessitating continued evolution of drugs to keep pace, and the dynamics of influenza require annual vaccine modifications,...

11/4/21

Cross-Reactive Neutralizing Antibody Responses Elicited by SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 (B.1.351)

Source: NEJM

This research found that 501Y.V2 (also known as B.1.351) elicits robust neutralizing antibody responses against both the original variant and 501Y.V3, which indicates high levels of cross-reactivity. The data indicate...

11/4/21

From Vaccine Nationalism to Vaccine Equity — Finding a Path Forward

Source: NEJM

Opinion Piece  As the global community faces scarce supply, we confront a distressing reality: our current global vaccination rates of roughly 6.7 million doses per day translate to achieving herd immunity...

11/4/21

Antibody Persistence through 6 Months after the Second Dose of mRNA-1273 Vaccine for Covid-19

Source: NEJM

Ongoing studies are monitoring immune responses beyond 6 months as well as determining the effect of a booster dose to extend the duration and breadth of activity against emerging viral...

11/4/21

Antibody Responses in Seropositive Persons after a Single Dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine

Source: NEJM

A single dose of mRNA vaccine elicited rapid immune responses in seropositive participants, with post vaccination antibody titers that were similar to or exceeded titers found in seronegative participants who...

11/4/21

Neutralizing Response against Variants after SARS-CoV-2 Infection and One Dose of BNT162b2

Source: NEJM

The BNT162b2 vaccine was shown to have 95% efficacy against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).1 To date, the two-dose vaccine protocol has not been approved in Israel for persons previously infected...

11/4/21

Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants B.1.429 and B.1.351

Source: NEJM

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant B.1.429 (also called CAL.20C or 452R.V1), first identified in California. The results of this study, and the high efficacy shown by...

11/4/21

Thrombosis and Thrombocytopenia after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccination

Source: NEJM

Peer review article Although rare, vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a new phenomenon with devastating effects for otherwise healthy young adults and requires a thorough risk–benefit analysis. The findings...

11/4/21

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia after ChAdOx1 nCov-19 Vaccination

Source: NEJM

Peer review article Vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCov-19 can result in the rare development of immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia mediated by platelet-activating antibodies against PF4, which clinically mimics autoimmune heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

11/4/21

SARS-CoV-2 spike E484K mutation reduces antibody neutralisation

Source: The Lancet

Emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 can evade neutralising antibodies induced by previous infection or vaccination through mutations in the spike protein, including the receptor-binding domain. Vaccinations should induce the highest neutralisation...

11/4/21

Ramadan and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy—a call for action

Source: The Lancet

Opinion piece Ramadan fasts require Muslims to abstain from food and drink during daylight hours (exemptions include ill-health). Fasting during Ramadan also requires “refraining from anything entering the body cavities”....

11/4/21

Correlates of protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection

Source: The Lancet

Report on peer review article The findings of the authors suggest that infection and the development of an antibody response provides protection similar to or even better than currently used...

11/4/21

Covid-19: All Johnson and Johnson vaccine in use is safe, says US regulator

Source: BMJ

The acting head of the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services gave reassurances on 5 April that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was safe, after a mix-up at a...

11/4/21

Linda Bauld: Maintaining trust in the covid-19 vaccine programme will be essential in the months ahead

Source: BMJ

Opinion piece In light of recent concerns about the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, sustained and clear communication from trusted sources is needed to maintain uptake as the evidence evolves.

11/4/21

AstraZeneca vaccine: Blood clots are “extremely rare” and benefits outweigh risks, regulators conclude

Source: BMJ

Among more than 20 million people who have been vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine in the UK so far, 79 cases of rare blood clots with low platelets have been...

11/4/21

What do we know about China’s COVID-19 vaccines?

Source: BMJ

There are about a dozen Chinese vaccine candidates for COVID-19, but five front runners have received emergency use approval in China as well as several other countries. At the time...

11/4/21

Covid-19: The lack of vaccine trial data creates another layer of inequality

Source: BMJ

Opinion piece The COVID-19 vaccine race has highlighted the importance of the equitable distribution of resources worldwide for ethical and epidemiological reasons. Letting the virus run free in low and...

11/4/21

COVAX reaches over 100 economies, 42 days after first international delivery

Source: WHO

The COVAX Facility has now delivered life-saving vaccines to over 100 economies since making its first international delivery to Ghana on 24 February 2021. So far, more than 38 million...

11/4/21

Less than 2% of world’s COVID-19 vaccines administered in Africa

Source: WHO Africa

Less than 2% of the 690 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered to date globally have been in Africa, where most countries received vaccines only five weeks ago and in small...

19/01/2021

Durability of Responses after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-1273 Vaccination

Source: New England Journal of Medicine

This correspondence provides follow-up data on the immune response triggered by the Moderna vaccine (mRNA-1273) 119 days after the first vaccine dose (and 3 months after the second dose). The...

19/01/2021

Efficacy and Safety of the mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine

Source: New England Journal of Medicine

This paper describes results of phase 3 clinical trials of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273), which uses mRNA technology targeting the spike protein. Over 30,000 participants were enrolled, receiving two...

19/01/2021

Safety and immunogenicity of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine administered in a prime-boost regimen in young and old adults (COV002): a single-blind, randomised, controlled, phase 2/3 trial

Source: The Lancet

This paper describes the results of phase 2/3 trials of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. In this case, the trial primarily assessed vaccine safety, with a particular focus on those aged 70+....

19/01/2021

Extraordinary meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) – 5 January 2021

Source: WHO

This page contains details of the SAGE meeting held on 05/01/2021, where the Pfizer-BioNTech and other COVID-19 vaccines were discussed. As of 04/01/2021, there are a total of 291 vaccine...

19/01/2021

Safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2: an interim analysis of four randomised controlled trials in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK

Source: The Lancet

This paper describes results of four clinical trials of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222)). These clinical trials spanned multiple phases across three countries. This study looks at both...

19/01/2021

Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine efficacy

Source: The Lancet

There were 58 SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in clinical trials in 2020. Trial data for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine were published in December describing results from four randomised controlled trials in South Africa,...

19/01/2021

Interim Results of a Phase 1–2a Trial of Ad26.COV2.S Covid-19 Vaccine

Source: New England Journal of Medicine

This paper describes results of phase 1/2a trials of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine (Ad26.COV2.S). This vaccine targets the spike protein using a viral vector. The main objective of this trial...

19/01/2021

Safety and Immunogenicity of Two RNA-Based Covid-19 Vaccine Candidates

Source: New England Journal of Medicine

This paper describes the results of the phase 1 trials of two Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine candidate (BNT162b1 and BNT162b2). BNT162b1 targets the receptor-binding domain, whereas the BNT162b2 targets the spike...

19/01/2021

Safety and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine

Source: New England Journal of Medicine

This paper describes the results of phase 2/3 trials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2). Around 40,000 people participated in these trials - half of which received the vaccine (two...

19/01/2021

Safety and immunogenicity of an rAd26 and rAd5 vector-based heterologous prime-boost COVID-19 vaccine in two formulations: two open, non-randomised phase 1/2 studies from Russia

Source: The Lancet

This paper describes results of phase 1/2 trials of two vaccine candidates developed by Gamaleya in the Russian Federation. Both vaccines target the spike protein using a viral vector, one...

19/01/2021

Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in healthy adults aged 18–59 years: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1/2 clinical trial

Source: The Lancet

This paper describes the results of phase 1/2 trials of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine (CoronaVac), which contains an inactivated form of SARS-CoV-2. Over 700 participants were enrolled on these trials,...

19/01/2021

26th WHO Regulatory Update on COVID-19

Source: WHO

The WHO has granted Emergency Use Listing to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and has issue policy recommendations on how best to use it. This includes a recommendation that the vaccine...

19/01/2021

Covid-19 vaccination: What’s the evidence for extending the dosing interval?

Source: BMJ

The UK government has announced that the second doses of COVID-19 vaccines will be administered around 12 weeks after the first, rather than 3-4 weeks which was recommended. This is...

19/01/2021

Covid-19: Norway investigates 23 deaths in frail elderly patients after vaccination

Source: BMJ

Doctors in Norway are being asked to more thoroughly evaluate the conditions of very frail, elderly patients who have yet to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. This request comes after 23 people...

19/01/2021

COVID-19 Scientific and Public Health Policy Update – (01 December 2020)

Source: Africa CDC

This update provides a summary of the latest developments in scientific knowledge and public health policy from around the world. Highlights on vaccines are summarised below: - Bharat Biotech announced...

19/01/2021

COVID-19 vaccine trials in Africa

Source: The Lancet

Vaccine development and trials were identified as a key research priority for COVID-19 in Africa. The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) Clinical Trials Community has said that globally, only 2%...

19/01/2021

Coronavirus Update 37: What we know about COVID-19 vaccine development

Source: WHO

This presentation gives a brief general overview of vaccine technologies, steps in vaccine development and timelines (both of traditional and accelerated development), and the COVID-19 vaccine candidates in Phase 3...

19/01/2021

COVID-19 Scientific and Public Health Policy Update – (15 December 2020)

Source: Africa CDC

This update provides a summary of the latest developments in scientific knowledge and public health policy from around the world. Highlights on vaccines are summarised below: - The UK government...

19/01/2021

Draft landscape of COVID-19 candidate vaccines

Source: WHO

This document summarises the COVID-19 vaccine candidate landscape, including stages of development and clinical trial data where available. It is updated every Tuesday and Friday. As of 19/01/2021, 64 vaccines...

20/01/2021

No evidence aluminium in vaccines causes Alzheimer’s disease

Source: Full Fact

Claim: Aluminium in vaccines can cause Alzheimer’s disease. Finding: False No link between Alzheimer’s disease and the small amount of aluminium found in some vaccines has been established. Small amounts...

20/01/2021

There’s no evidence that mercury-based chemicals in a Covid-19 vaccine would cause harm

Source: Full Fact

Claim: New Covid-19 vaccines contain levels of mercury that cause brain damage. Finding: False Most commonly given vaccines in the UK do not contain the mercury-based chemical thiomersal. We don’t...

20/01/2021

Claims about the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine ingredients lack evidence

Source: Full Fact

Claim: The formation of “non-neutralizing antibodies” can lead to an exaggerated immune reaction to vaccines, especially when the person is confronted with the real, “wild” virus after vaccination. This so-called...

20/01/2021

There’s no evidence the Pfizer vaccine interferes with the placenta

Source: Full Fact

Claim: The Pfizer vaccine contains syncytin-1 which is vital for the formation of human placenta, so could lead to infertility. Finding: Mixture The vaccine contains instructions on how to build...

20/01/2021

Some on the Pfizer vaccine trials did get Bell’s palsy, but not more than we’d expect by chance

Source: Full Fact

Claim: Four volunteers developed Bell's palsy after receiving Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine. Finding: Mixture Whilst this is true, the figure is roughly the level anticipated in a group of this size....

20/01/2021

No, US nurse Tiffany Dover not killed by Covid-19 vaccine

Source: Africa Check

Claim: that Tiffany Dover, a nurse from Tennessee in the United States, fainted and died after receiving her first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Finding: False The nurse did...

20/01/2021

Yes, Australia abandoned Covid-19 vaccine after false positive HIV test results

Source: Africa Check

Claim: “Australia abandons vaccine attempt, after the shot wrongly gave some people positive HIV test results", from the website, Business Insider Finding: True The vaccine did give people false positive...

20/01/2021

Did 23 People In Norway Die After Receiving COVID Vaccine?

Source: Snopes

Claim: Twenty-three people in Norway died as a result of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Finding: Unproven 23 people across Norway died since the vaccination programme began; they were vaccinated with...

20/01/2021

Is the 1950s ‘Thalidomide Tragedy’ Indicative of COVID-19 Vaccine Risks?

Source: Snopes

Claim: A rapidly approved drug known as thalidomide was not rigorously tested before being prescribed to pregnant women, ultimately leading to “malformations in newborns” to women who were prescribed the...

20/01/2021

Did Brazil’s President Bolsonaro Imply COVID-19 Vaccine Turns People Into Crocodiles?

Source: Snopes

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said, “In the Pfizer contract it's very clear: 'we're not responsible for any side effects.' If you turn into a crocodile, it's your problem.” Finding: Correct...

20/01/2021

Does Pfizer ‘Page 132’ Warn Against Unprotected Sex After COVID-19 Vaccine?

Source: Snopes

Claim: Pfizer vaccine "page 132" warns not to have unprotected sex for 28 days after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine because "genetic manipulation" may cause birth defects. Finding:...

20/01/2021

Did Doctors Recommend Genital COVID-19 Vaccination Injections for Men?

Source: Snopes

Claim: Two scientific studies found that men should inject the COVID-19 vaccine into the penis, and that the vaccine increased penis size among some men. Finding: False The pictures shared...

20/01/2021

Did a Portuguese Nurse Die Two Days After COVID-19 Vaccination?

Source: Snopes

Claim: A Portuguese nurse named Sonia Azevedo died from adverse side effects from the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. This was first published by India-based news-outlet WION (World Is One News) and...

28/01/2021

There are no human cells in the AstraZeneca vaccine, and it won’t give you a chimpanzee virus

Source: Full Fact

WHAT WAS CLAIMED The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine contains viruses from chimpanzees. OUR VERDICT The vaccine uses a modified virus which was originally created from a virus found in chimpanzees.

28/01/2021

There is evidence vaccines reduce risk of Covid-19 illness

Source: Full Fact

WHAT WAS CLAIMED Vaccines don’t stop you getting COVID-19 or spreading it. OUR VERDICT The Pfizer and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines reduce your chances of getting sick with Covid-19. There’s some...

28/01/2021

COVID-19 Vaccines: Reassuring Safety Data / 1 Shot If You’ve Had COVID?

Source: NEJM

A CDC analysis of adverse event data during the first month of COVID-19 vaccination in the U.S. offers reassurance on use of the two authorized mRNA vaccines. A New York...

28/01/2021

FDA Offers Guidance to Vaccine, Therapeutics Companies on SARS-CoV-2 Variants

Source: NEJM

The FDA has published guidance regarding SARS-CoV-2 variants for companies making vaccines, treatments, and diagnostic tests.

28/01/2021

Will the Current mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Work Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants?

Source: NEJM

Report on research article These findings suggest that the B.1.351 variant (and others harbouring similar mutations) is less sensitive to vaccine-induced antibodies than earlier SARS-CoV-2 lineages, including B.1.117. However, vaccines...

28/01/2021

Pfizer-BioNTech Studying a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster

Source: NEJM

Pfizer and BioNTech said on Thursday that they will begin studying whether a third dose of their authorized mRNA vaccine is safe and effective against currently circulating and emerging strains...

28/01/2021

BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine in a Nationwide Mass Vaccination Setting

Source: NEJM

Peer reviewed article This study estimates a high effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine for preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in a non-controlled setting, similar to the vaccine efficacy reported in the randomized...

28/01/2021

Feelings towards COVID-19 vaccination in Africa

Source: The Lancet

Opinion piece The global north has started immunising large numbers of people against SARS-CoV-2 before the global south, Africans concerned about COVID-19 vaccine safety might be reassured by this track...

28/01/2021

Bell’s palsy and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

Source: The Lancet

Opinion piece There have been many studies around the influenza vaccine and Bell's palsy. There is a call for robust surveillance for potential mRNA vaccine-associated Bell's palsy, we also note...

28/01/2021

Effect of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection on humoral and T-cell responses to single-dose BNT162b2 vaccine

Source: The Lancet

Response to peer reviewed article Further evidence that the vaccine still generates a strong immune response in people who have previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2.

28/01/2021

Migrant health is public health: a call for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines

Source: The Lancet

Opinion piece Migrant and displaced communities—regardless of their legal status—urgently need to be explicitly and proactively included in vaccination plans. This action not only recognises the interdependence between migrant health...

28/01/2021

Historical evidence to inform COVID-19 vaccine mandates

Source: The Lancet

Opinion piece Most countries have a mandatory vaccination programme for childhood vaccinations, with varying strategies for enforcement that might establish precedent. If strategies of persuasion do not achieve adequate vaccination...

28/01/2021

Covid-19 vaccine apps should deliver more to patients

Source: The Lancet

Opinion piece Digital tools for side-effect surveillance emphasise data collection over providing user feedback, and public misperceptions might influence what is reported and the causal attributions. Preliminary evidence shows that...

28/01/2021

Covid-19: Pfizer BioNTech vaccine reduced cases by 94% in Israel, shows peer reviewed study

Source: BMJ

Peer reviewed article Peter English, consultant in communicable disease control and past chair of the BMA’s Public Health Medicine Committee, said, “This is more great news, confirming that the vaccine...

28/01/2021

Covid-19: Plans to share vaccines aren’t enough, says charity

Source: BMJ

Opinion piece New pledges by leaders of the G7 group of richest countries to intensify cooperation on COVID-19 and commit $7.5bn (£5.3bn; €6.2bn) to sharing supplies of vaccine around the...

28/01/2021

What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

Source: US CDC

COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection, and this article explains them.

28/01/2021

Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination

Source: US CDC

Answers to commonly asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination. CDC also has information for busting common vaccine myths available in facts about COVID-19 vaccines.

28/01/2021

Selected Adverse Events Reported after COVID-19 Vaccination

Source: US CDC

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Rare adverse events described on this page have been reported

28/01/2021

What to Do if You Have an Allergic Reaction After Getting A COVID-19 Vaccine

Source: US CDC

If you had a severe allergic reaction after getting the first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, CDC recommends that you should not get the second dose. If you had...

28/01/2021

National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine: Finale

Source: US CDC

A video explaining how to grow confidence and trust in the vaccine.

28/01/2021

Reduction in COVID-19 Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation Following Implementation of a National COVID-19 Vaccination Program — Israel, December 2020–February 2021

Source: US CDC

Pre release article Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in a controlled setting. Israel initiated a national vaccination campaign in December 2020, prioritizing persons aged >60 years...

28/01/2021

What is COVID-19 vaccine efficacy?

Source: WHO Africa

COVID-9 vaccines have been developed within less than a year after the vi1rus was first detected. Several vaccines that have become available have shown different levels of efficacy, this article...

31/01/2021

The COVID-19 vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women unless they are at high risk of exposure

Source: Snopes

Claim: The World Health Organisation warned that pregnant women should avoid the COVID-19 vaccination. Partly true As of January 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the use of...

31/01/2021

ChAdOx1 nCOV -19 Vaccine Trial

Source: KeMRI

The article provides details of the trial of the ChAdOx1 vaccine for COVID-19 currently being conducted in Kenya. The trial aims to assess whether the ChAdOx1 vaccine is safe, effective...

31/01/2021

Safety and immunogenicity of S-Trimer (SCB-2019), a protein subunit vaccine candidate for COVID-19 in healthy adults: a phase 1, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Source: Lancet

. A vaccine targeting a new part of the SARS CoV-2 spike protein (the protrusions that give the virus the name coronavirus as they look like a crown) have proved...

31/01/2021

Next-generation COVID-19 vaccines: here come the proteins

Source: Lancet

Opinion piece by Anna K Blakney, Michael Smith Laboratories, and Paul F McKay, Imperial College London, The continued development and use of new technology used to create the RNA (genetic...

31/01/2021

SARS-CoV-2 evolution and vaccines: cause for concern?

Source: Lancet

Opinion Piece by Thomas C Williams, University of Edinburgh and Wendy A Burges, University of Cape Town Most vaccines work by getting our body to recognise and react to a...

31/01/2021

Researchers did Warn that Certain COVID-19 Vaccines Could Increase HIV Risk

Source: Snopes

Claim: Researchers warned in The Lancet that a form of COVID-19 vaccine in development (and approved for limited use in China) could potentially increase the risk of acquiring HIV. Mostly...

31/01/2021

Covid-19: What new variants are emerging and how are they being investigated?

Source: The BMJ

The new, more transmissible variant of SARS-CoV-2 found in England is just one of many variations of the virus being detected around the world. These include variant P.1 or VOC202101/02,...

31/01/2021

Africa needs timely access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines

Source: WHO

The development and approval of safe and effective vaccines less than a year after the emergence of COVID-19 is a stunning achievement. However, in Africa, Guinea is the sole low-income...

31/01/2021

Scientists tackle vaccine safety, efficacy and access at global R&D forum

Source: WHO

More than 2,800 scientists from 130 countries gathered on Friday (January 15) in a virtual forum hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify knowledge gaps and set research...

2/2/21

People giving Covid-19 vaccines won’t be tried as war criminals

Source: Full Fact

Claim: We don’t know the Covid-19 vaccines are safe because trials are still underway and won’t finish until 2023. Anyone getting the vaccine is being experimented on. Verdict: Multiple phases...

2/2/21

“Sputnik V” Vaccine Found Over 90% Effective Against COVID-19

Source: NEJM

Summary article A Russian vaccine against COVID-19 — Gam-COVID-Vac (dubbed "Sputnik V") — shows 92% efficacy in interim results from a phase 3 trial reported in The Lancet. The two-dose...

2/2/21

Overview of the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination strategies and vaccine deployment plans in the EU/EEA

Source: ECDC

This report provides an updated overview of national COVID-19 vaccination rollout across the EU/EEA, including new insights into some of the critical aspects and challenges Member States are experiencing with...

2/2/21

Stress test on logistical aspects of COVID-19 vaccination deployment plans: final report

Source: ECDC

The ECDC, together with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, organised a stress test of the logistical aspects of COVID-19 vaccination deployment plans. Twelve EU/EEA Member States...

2/2/21

Safety and efficacy of an rAd26 and rAd5 vector-based heterologous prime-boost COVID-19 vaccine: an interim analysis of a randomised controlled phase 3 trial in Russia

Source: The Lancet

A heterologous recombinant adenovirus (rAd)-based vaccine, Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V), showed a good safety profile and induced strong humoral and cellular immune responses in participants in phase 1/2 clinical trials. This...

2/2/21

WHO international non-proprietary names: the need to distinguish COVID-19 vaccines

Source: The Lancet

Opinion piece The WHO International Non-proprietary Names Programme would like to highlight that international non-proprietary names (INNs), assigned to well defined pharmaceutical substances, including those used in vaccines, ensure that...

2/2/21

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a representative working-age population in France: a survey experiment based on vaccine characteristics

Source: The Lancet

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance depends on the characteristics of new vaccines and the national vaccination strategy, among various other factors, in the working-age population in France.

2/2/21

Understanding the determinants of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines: a challenge in a fast-moving situation

Source: The Lancet

Opinion piece by Pierre Verger, Patrick Peretti-Watel This study shows that most people are probably not absolutely for or against COVID-19 vaccines. Depending on their own profile and preferences, and...

2/2/21

Why aren’t covid-19 vaccines being manufactured in standard prefilled syringes?

Source: BMJ

Opinion piece This article discusses the difficulties of the final processes when delivering vaccines. It questions why, -given prefilled syringes are the safest and standard recommended delivery device for most...

2/2/21

Covid-19: Novavax vaccine efficacy is 86% against UK variant and 60% against South African variant

Source: BMJ

News article The SARS-CoV-2 vaccine produced by the US biotechnology company Novavax is 95.6% effective against the original variant of SARS-CoV-2 but also provides protection against the newer variants B.1.1.7...

2/2/21

Covid-19: AstraZeneca vaccine is approved in EU with no upper age limit

Source: BMJ

News Article The European Medicines Agency authorised Astra Zeneca’s SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for use in all adults aged over 18 on 29 January. Amid reports that the vaccine had lower efficacy...

2/2/21

Covid-19: New data on Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine backs 12 week dosing interval

Source: BMJ

A news article reporting a preprint paper currently under review at the Lancet. The paper is an analysis of data from vaccine trials involving 17,177 participants in the UK, Brazil,...

2/2/21

Ensuring the Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States

Source: US CDC

Clinical trials and vaccine safety monitoring are being conducted to evaluate additional COVID-19 vaccines in many thousands of study participants. These trials will generate scientific data and other information that...

2/2/21

COVAX expects to start sending millions of COVID-19 vaccines to Africa in February

Source: Afro WHO

COVAX has notified countries in Africa of the estimated dose allocation for the first phase of COVID-19 vaccine delivery. The global initiative led by the WHO, Gavi the Vaccine Alliance...

2/2/21

Covid-19: India is at centre of global vaccine manufacturing, but opacity threatens public trust

Source: BMJ

Article by freelance journalist Kamala Thiagarajan. On 3 January, India’s top drug regulator issued emergency approval for two vaccines for restricted use against Covid-19, even though phase III clinical trials...

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cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.