Tag: vaccine

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine bet that paid off

With a strategic alliance, 24-hour production and a bit of luck, Pfizer and BioNTech were able to roll out their COVID vaccine at a brisk pace and relatively free of controversy. US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and BioNTech, a smaller German biotech firm, joined forces on April 9, 2020, as the world reeled from the pandemic,

Italy reserves AstraZeneca vaccine for over 60s

Italy will reserve AstraZeneca’s vaccine for the over 60s following concerns of a link to blood clots in younger people, the government’s top adviser on the coronavirus crisis announced Wednesday. The decision has been taken to “recommend the preferential use on individuals aged above 60”, Franco Locatelli told reporters. His announcement came hours after the

Determination of vaccine-elicited SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in breastmilk

Scientists have reported that in most cases, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causal agent of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, mildly infects infants. However, around 10% of infants experienced severe COVID-19 infection who required advanced medical treatments. In rare cases, even asymptomatic infection can result in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in

Determination of vaccine-elicited SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in breastmilk

Scientists have reported that in most cases, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causal agent of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, mildly infects infants. However, around 10% of infants experienced severe COVID-19 infection who required advanced medical treatments. In rare cases, even asymptomatic infection can result in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine causes steep drop in COVID-19 among healthcare workers

A team of scientists from Spain has recently evaluated the efficacy of an mRNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2).  Their findings reveal that a 2-dose regimen of BNT162b2 vaccine is capable of providing almost 100% protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in healthcare workers. The study is

Researchers develop novel nanoadjuvant COVID-19 vaccine candidate

Finding effective and safe vaccines is crucial in the fight against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As a vital component of a subunit vaccine, the adjuvant strengthens the antigen-induced immune responses. Researchers at the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, the

COVID-19 Vaccination Strategies Suggested for Patients on Antirheumatic Immunosuppressive Therapy

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – UK experts propose evidence-based management strategies for rheumatology patients on immunosuppressive therapy, including delaying/postponing rituximab, as appropriate. “The aim of this viewpoint article is to outline the existing data on the effect of antirheumatic therapy on vaccine responses in patients with inflammatory arthritis, and to formulate a possible pragmatic strategy

Hong Kong halts use of Pfizer vaccine, cites defective lids

Hong Kong suspended use of the Pfizer vaccine Wednesday after its Chinese distributor informed the city that one batch had defective bottle lids. The city’s government said the suspension was immediate while the matter is investigated by distributor Fosun Pharma and BioNTech, the German company which created the vaccine with American pharmaceutical firm Pfizer. BioNTech

Child Vaccinations Likely Needed to Reach Herd Immunity

Editor’s note: Find the latest COVID-19 news and guidance in Medscape’s Coronavirus Resource Center. The United States probably won’t reach herd immunity until children are vaccinated, Anthony Fauci, MD, said. “We don’t really know what that magical point of herd immunity is, but we do know that if we get the overwhelming population vaccinated, we’re