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Poll: Almost Half of U.S. Respondents Demand Reevaluation of CDC Vaccine Schedule

The AHA! Team — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 05:33:15 +0000

Ramon Tomey via Natural News – In a striking shift, nearly half of U.S. respondents in an opinion poll now support reexamining the childhood vaccination schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A poll by Children’s Health Defense reveals 49.4 percent of respondents favor reviewing the CDC’s childhood vaccination schedule, while only 29.6 percent oppose changes. Support rises to nearly 60 percent among parents of young children. While 43 percent still back school vaccine requirements, 39 percent argue public education access should not depend on vaccination status. New CDC appointees, including Martin Kulldorff, are scrutinizing vaccine safety, including cumulative effects of ingredients. Critics accuse the panel of promoting “anti-vaccine” views. Nearly half (48 percent) support legal recourse for vaccine-related harm, challenging the 1986 law shielding manufacturers from liability. The CDC’s review of thimerosal in flu shots revisits past autism concerns. The poll reflects eroded trust in vaccine mandates, signaling a shift away from unquestioned acceptance. In a striking shift, nearly half of U.S. respondents in an opinion poll now support reexamining the childhood vaccination schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The survey, conducted by John Zogby Strategies and commissioned by Children’s Health Defense (CHD), polled 1,006 respondents from June 24 to 25. It found that 49.4 percent – 23.7 percent strongly support, 25.7 percent somehow support – are in favor of a reevaluation of the CDC’s vaccine schedule. In contrast, only 29.6 percent of respondents – 15.1 percent strongly oppose, 14.5 percent somewhat oppose – prefer to keep the vaccination schedule as is. The poll’s results also revealed that support for reviewing the vaccine schedule spikes to almost 60 percent among parents of young children – a demographic directly impacted by the recommendations. Under the current schedule, children must be injected with 70 doses of 15 vaccines by age 18. Meanwhile, 43 percent of respondents still endorse school vaccine mandates. Nevertheless, 39 percent of respondents argue public education access should remain unconditional instead of being contingent on compliance with vaccine mandates. (Related: MASS EXODUS from public schools anticipated after CDC advisory panel unanimously votes to add deadly Covid-19 “vaccines” to childhood immunization schedule.) People want vaccine injury accountability The opinion poll’s results come amid escalating scrutiny of federal vaccine policies, particularly after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. overhauled the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) with appointees who criticize mainstream vaccine guidance. Central to the controversy is a newly formed CDC work group tasked with studying the cumulative effects of childhood vaccines. “It is important to evaluate interaction effects between different vaccines, cumulative amounts of vaccine ingredients, and relative timing,” said new ACIP Chairman Martin Kulldorff during the panel’s June 25 meeting. His remarks echoed a 2013 National Academy of Medicine report urging deeper research into vaccine safety, a call left unheeded for over a decade. Critics, including mainstream medical groups, accuse the panel of veering toward anti-vaccine ideology. The American Academy of Pediatrics blasted Kulldorff’s suggestion to delay hepatitis B vaccinations as “unscientific” and “dangerous.” Typically given at birth, the new ACIP chairman said the injection can be delayed “unless the mother is hepatitis B positive.” Yet CHD CEO Mary Holland argues the poll reflects a public revolt against institutional dogma. “The constant fearmongering and shaming tactics … are not only ineffective, but backfiring,” she said. “This data clearly shows that the mainstream media, medical establishment and many politicians fail to hear the serious concerns of half of Americans on these vital issues.” Equally contentious is the 1986 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, which shields manufacturers from liability. Nearly half of respondents – 48 percent – now support legal recourse for vaccine injuries. In contrast, just 34 percent defend the status quo. This debate started in the 1990s, when mercury-based thimerosal first ignited autism concerns. Kennedy has long cited studies linking vaccines to neurological harm, though federal agencies and major medical journals reject those claims. Thimerosal was later removed from most childhood vaccines in 2001. The new ACIP’s review of thimerosal-preserved flu shots reignites that clash. Whether the CDC’s review yields policy changes or further polarization, one truth is clear. The era of unquestioned vaccine mandates is over. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org 1 ChildrensHealthDefense.org 2 [PDF] NBCNews.com Brighteon.com To read the original article, click here

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Merck Faces New Controversy Over Mumps Shot Development Practices

The AHA! Team — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 06:03:10 +0000

Patrick Tims via NaturalHealth365 – Merck is back in the spotlight, facing serious accusations over how it developed its latest mumps shot. Merck is back in the spotlight, facing serious accusations over how it developed its latest mumps shot. According to recently released legal documents, the drugmaker may have cut corners in its rush to bring the shot to market, potentially putting children’s health at risk. Concerns are growing that these actions may compromise vaccine safety and reflect broader issues within the company’s development practices. Merck’s latest mumps shot comes under fire Alarming reports claim Merck’s shot contains up to 4 times the approved amount of live virus – up to 600,000 viral particles per dose, compared to the FDA’s recommendation of 160,000. Shockingly, immunity can be triggered with just 20,000 particles. Some even accuse Merck of intentionally inflating the amount of live virus to falsely boost the vaccine’s “effectiveness,” all while failing to conduct proper safety tests. What’s worse, the company appears to have gone to great lengths to hide these practices from regulators. Despite these concerning findings, health agencies and the government have yet to take action to address or halt the vaccine’s distribution. Rewind time back to 2010, and Merck employees filed a lawsuit claiming the company’s mumps vaccine had 400% of the approved concentration level of the virus. The drugmaker’s whistleblowers filed the lawsuit under the False Claims Act. The insinuation is that Merck overfilled its mumps shots for 12-18-month-olds with many times the approved level of the live mumps virus, opting for passive surveillance instead of transparency. Such passive surveillance took the form of parents’ reports detailing kids’ reactions to the jabs. Other shots facing serious scrutiny Merck’s mumps shot is just the latest in a growing list of shots facing serious scrutiny. Alarming reports have emerged about other jabs, raising concerns about transparency, safety, and rushed approvals. The flu shot, for instance, has been criticized for inconsistent effectiveness, leaving many to question why it’s still pushed so aggressively each year despite these flaws. The COVID-19 shots, fast-tracked under emergency use, are another example. Critics argue that the long-term effects are still unknown, and the lack of comprehensive safety data raises red flags. Whistleblower accounts and legal documents suggest that pharmaceutical giants may have prioritized speed and profit over rigorous safety standards, potentially compromising the health of millions. Parents have every reason to be cautious. With so many unanswered questions and unsettling information coming to light, it’s crucial to dig deeper, research the ingredients, and understand what’s really going into these vaccines before making decisions about your child’s health. Protect your child with a holistic approach to well-being As a parent, you should do your due diligence – research the shots, understand the ingredients, and explore all available information. In addition to informed decision-making, you can naturally support your child’s immune system. Ensure they follow a balanced diet rich in organic fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods. Encourage healthy habits like getting at least 7 – 9 hours of sleep, practicing good hygiene, regular physical activity, and stress management techniques. Natural immune boosters, including foods like leafy greens, berries, citrus fruits, legumes, seeds, and nuts, can provide valuable support. You might also consider incorporating daily probiotics for gut health and herbs like elderberry or echinacea. However, always consult a holistic healthcare provider before introducing new supplements or herbal remedies into your child’s routine. Sources for this article include: Childrenshealthdefense.org Childrenshealthdefense.org Childrenshealthdefense.org Justice.gov To read the original article click here.

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Plant-Based Vaccine Against SARS-CoV-2 Shows Promise

AHA Publisher — Mon, 24 May 2021 07:00:23 +0000

Michael Burgess via News-Medical – Researchers at Canadian biotechnology company Medicago report that Phase 1 trials of a plant-based vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 are underway and showing promise. The team, led by Dr. Brian Ward, professor of Medicine and Microbiology at McGill University, Canada, has published data from an initial clinical trial study in which 180 adults aged between 18 and 55 were injected with a plant-produced virus-like particle (VLP). The trial indicates that this novel VLP developed to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19 disease, shows strong immunogenic properties and no serious adverse effects. The research paper is available to read at Nature Medicine. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is now responsible for over 165 million cases globally. Since the World Health Organization classified the disease as a pandemic almost 18 months ago, 180 vaccine candidates have been developed, 12 of which have been given authorization for vaccine use. In this new study, Ward and colleagues describe their new plant-based vaccine candidate that has successfully navigated phase 1 human trials. The vaccine is produced by inserting the SARS-CoV-2 protein into the nuclei of benthi plants (Nicotiana benthamiana, commonly found in Australia). This is then transfected into a bacterial cell (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) to use as a vector. These cells are then injected into the bloodstream, where they express the S protein to stimulate the immune system. The research tested this compound in three different magnitudes (3.75 μg, 7.5 μg, and 15 μg), each either adjuvanted with CpG1018, AS03, or without an adjuvant. CpG 1018 and AS03 are compounds commonly added to vaccines to induce a more robust immune response by the body. All participants received their second dosage 21 days after their first and were sampled again on day 42 (after initial injection). As expected, the addition of either CpG 1018 or AS03 adjuvants did aid and increase the immunogenic response exhibited by the body, particularly so with AS03. Only mild adverse effects were observed in portions of the sample in all test groups, with roughly two-thirds of each group experiencing mild pain at the injection site after receiving the first dosage, and a fifth reported experiencing headaches or fatigue. In the subsequent second dose, this remained about the same, although reports of fatigue and headache increased to a third. However, all adverse effects were noted to be mild to moderate, with no serious effects taking place. The aim of this study was to determine the best dosage and adjuvant combination to boost immunity. Based on their results, a two-dose schedule with a concentration of 3.75 μg in addition to ASO3 showed the best results, and these results have since advanced to phase 2/3 trials in Canada and the United States. These results are promising, highlighting yet another diverse tool in our arsenal against the spread of the global COVID-19 pandemic. To read the original article click here.

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Pfizer to Seek Approval for COVID Vaccine ‘Within Days’

AHA Publisher — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 08:00:11 +0000

Tré Goins-Phillips, Faithwire via CBN News – The pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced Wednesday it will seek regulatory approval for its COVID-19 vaccine “within days.” Working in partnership with the German group BioNTech, Pfizer has completed its Phase 3 trial and has deemed the vaccination 95% effective at preventing COVID-19 infections, NBC News reported, up from 90% last week. Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who serves as an independent member on Pfizer’s board of directors, described the development as a “game change,” adding the successes in vaccine development “could effectively end the U.S. epidemic next year.” To date, there have been no serious side effects for the 41,135 adults who received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. The most common reaction among trial participants were that 3.7% experienced fatigue and 2% had headaches. Only eight of those who received the Pfizer vaccination fell ill to COVID-19. By comparison, 162 of those who received the placebo became sick. “The study results mark an important step in this historic eight-month journey to bring forward a vaccine capable of helping to end this devastating pandemic,” Pfizer Chairman and CEO Dr. Albert Bourla said in a statement. “With hundreds of thousands of people around the globe infected every day, we urgently need to get a safe and effective vaccine to the world.” The companies — Pfizer and BioNTech — announced their joint plan to seek emergency use authorization from the FDA “within days.” The groups are also sharing their findings with regulators in Europe. Pfizer’s data shows the vaccination 95% effective against future infections beginning 28 days after the first two doses. The immunization’s effectiveness was found to be consistent across all age and race demographics. Furthermore, its side effects wore off “shortly after vaccination,” and among older adults, they tended to be “fewer and milder.” News of Pfizer’s rapidly evolving vaccine comes just a couple days after the biotech company Moderna announced its COVID-19 vaccine is 94.5% effective against infection. Moderna President Dr. Stephen Hogue described the development as a “really important milestone,” adding he’s reassured by the fact that Pfizer has released similar findings. “That should give us all hope that actually a vaccine is going to be able to stop this pandemic and hopefully get us back to our lives,” he added. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were developed using messenger RNA, tiny pieces of genetic code injected into the body to trick the immune system into producing a response to fend off COVID-19 without actually having to inject actual bits of the virus. Anything Else? This week, CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dr. Sanjay Gupta praised President Donald Trump’s administration for its work to facilitate the production of a COVID-19 vaccine at breakneck speed. “It’s important that people working so hard — Monsef Slaoui and the others — get credit for this, and President Trump was the one who OK’d it,” Tapper said. Gupta agreed, adding, “No doubt. The pace of medical innovation has been forever changed. I mean, three months, Jan. 11 is when they got the sequence of this virus. By March 16, two months later, shots were going into arms as part of these clinical trials. I couldn’t believe it when I saw that pace. It typically takes, you know, years to really get these vaccines approved. It’ll be done within a year. That is worth celebrating, and now we have some early data to be very optimistic about.” “So all of the scientists, everyone behind this, all the way up to President Trump and Vice President Pence, congratulations on this great accomplishment,” said Tapper. Trump, for his part, thanked Tapper and Gupta for their comments. To read the original article click here. For more articles from CBN News click here.

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Natural Products and Herbal Medicines Show Promise in Fight Against COVID-19

AHA Publisher — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 08:00:39 +0000

Sally Robertson, B.Sc. via News-Medical Net – Researchers in China and the United States have called for more research into the potential prophylactic effects of natural products and herbal medicines on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and subsequent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In an article recently published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology, the team discussed natural products that have exhibited an inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2 and herbal medicines that have been tested as potential therapies for COVID-19. “In this review, we aimed to provide a new perspective regarding COVID-19 prevention,” writes Jia-xu Chen from Jinan University in Guangzhou, and colleagues from the University of Houston, and the University of California. The researchers suggest that while the world awaits effective treatments and a commercially available vaccine, the repurposing of natural products and herbal medicines as prophylactics represents a promising approach to at least slow the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. “In the interest of public health, this will lend health officials better control on the current pandemic,” they say. No effective vaccines or therapies are available Since the COVID-19 outbreak first began in Wuhan, China, late last year (2019), the pandemic has swept the globe, devastating public health, and the worldwide economy. COVID-19 is caused by the betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which initiates infection using a surface structure called the spike protein that binds to and fuses with target host cells. Although several vaccine candidates are under evaluation in clinical trials, not one has yet been approved for use, and their long-term effectiveness is uncertain. Besides vaccine development, intense efforts have also been focused on finding effective prophylactics against COVID-19 among high-risk populations. Still, few studies have provided evidence of satisfactory outcomes, say Chen and colleagues. “Since the outcome of current therapeutics in severe/critical COVID-19 patients are still debatable, prevention rather than treatment becomes more important to restrain this pandemic,” writes the team. “Blocking the entry of SARS-CoV-2 and suppressing infection at the initial stage is considered a more practical strategy.” Historically, natural products and herbal medicines have been used for the prevention of viral infections and generally show favorable efficacy and acceptable toxicity, say the researchers. The potential effects of natural products and herbal medicines Now, Chen and the team have published a review summarizing some recent findings regarding the potential effectiveness of natural products and herbal medicines in the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection. For example, they discuss compounds derived from natural products that may be effective against the cellular receptor heat shock protein A5 (HSPA5). Some studies have reported that HSPA5 is recognized by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and one 2020 study showed that the phytoestrogens daidzein, genistein, formononetin, and biochanin A have binding affinities with HSPA5. The researchers say these medicinal, plant-derived compounds may disrupt the attachment of SARS-CoV-2 to host cells (through spike), although their antiviral bioactivity requires further investigation. The host cell enzyme transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) facilitates the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. Inhibition of this enzyme blocks the spike protein’s ability to fuse with the host cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, one study conducted earlier this year demonstrated that withanone, a compound that can be isolated from Ashwagandha leaves (Withania somnifera) could bind to the catalytic site of TMPRSS2. That study also confirmed that withanone significantly downregulated TMPRSS2 in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7, thereby pointing to its potential to dampen this enzyme’s function. Many studies are preliminary, but some compounds have entered clinical trials The researchers say that many of these studies are all still in the preliminary stages and further pre-clinical studies are needed to examine the antiviral effects of the compounds. “In the meanwhile, a great number of clinical trials have registered to investigate the potentials of natural product to halt disease progression,” says the team. One such trial is investigating the immunomodulatory and antiviral activity of Nigella sativaseed oil among adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Another trial is currently recruiting participants to study the effectiveness of vitamin C at reducing mortality among patients. What do the authors conclude? “It is undeniable that herbal medicine is still a promising resource for drug discovery, and its acceptable toxicity makes it a prospective prophylactic candidate against COVID-19,” write Chen and colleagues. In the face of this global health crisis, the team says that exploring prophylactics derived from herbal medicine likely represents a promising and practical approach to containing the pandemic. Natural products and herbal medicine have a long track record in treating respiratory infections and many have been approved as drugs or over-the-counter food additives, say the researchers. “Moderate dosing of such bioactive compounds may prevent or at least slow down the SARS-CoV-2 infection process,” they conclude. To read the original article click here.

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Israel to Begin Clinical Trials of Covid-19 Vaccine

AHA Publisher — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 07:00:19 +0000

Abigail Klein Leichman via Israel21c – The governmental Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) has approval from the Ministry of Health and the Helsinki Committee to begin testing its vaccine, BriLife, against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus on November 1. The IIBR has prepared 25,000 doses of BriLife and has recruited the first volunteers in an 80-person clinical trial, 40 at Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem and 40 at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan. Each volunteer, aged 18 to 55, will receive an injection (vaccine or placebo). After a few hours of supervision he/she will be discharged and monitored for three weeks for any possible side effects and for the development of antibodies to the virus in response to the vaccine. The second phase will include extensive safety tests on 960 healthy volunteers, to begin in December in several medical centers across Israel. In this phase, scientists aim to complete vaccine safety precautions, determine effective dosage, and further determine the vaccine’s effectiveness. The third and final phase is a large-scale trial to test the effectiveness of BriLife, with the participation of up to 30,000 volunteers. Subject to the success of the first two phases, this phase is scheduled to begin in April or May. If it is successful, the vaccine may be approved for mass use. On June 21, ISRAEL21c reported that a single dose of the IIBR’s recombinant VSV-∆G-spike vaccine “results in rapid and potent induction of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2” in Syrian golden hamsters in a successful preclinical trial. It was also tested successfully in mice, rabbits and pigs, paving the way to human trials. “Our final goal is 15 million doses for the residents of the State of Israel and for our close neighbors,” said Prof. Shmuel Shapira, director of the IIBR. The research institute in Ness Ziona, which is part of the Ministry of Defense, has been directing all its efforts in the past few months toward novel coronavirus research. In collaboration with several partners, the IIBR also is developing an antibody-based Covid-19 treatment and a new method to detect the virus through breath analysis. Shapira said the name BriLife puts together the Hebrew word for health, briut, with “il” for Israel and “life” — which speaks to the importance of the vaccine. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Israel21c click here.

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AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccine Trial ON HOLD After Participant Had Serious Neurological Symptom

AHA Publisher — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 07:00:55 +0000

Joy Jensen via NaturalHealth365 – While vaccines generally take 15-20 years to get to the market, there’s been a significant push to get a COVID-19 vaccine ready to use to combat the current global pandemic. In fact, we previously reported that vaccines are being rushed to market while skipping procedures like animal testing before being used on humans. We already know that most vaccine candidates fail, so testing them on humans without proper safety precautions could result in a solution that’s worse than the virus. Backing up our concerns is recent newsannouncing that AstraZeneca’s Phase 3 COVID-19 trials were put on hold after a participant in the United Kingdom experienced serious neurological symptoms. Patient Developed Symptoms Consistent with Transverse Myelitis After COVID-19 Vaccine According to reports by Stat News, a woman who was a part of the Phase 3 COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine trials came down with neurological symptoms that were consistent with transverse myelitis, a very serious and rare spinal inflammatory disorder. AstraZeneca did confirm that this woman had been injected with the vaccine and not a placebo in the trials. In addition, this participant was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis upon further examination, although this diagnosis was deemed to be unrelated to being treated with the COVID-19 vaccine. While sources say the woman is expected to recover from her symptoms, the symptoms were enough to put the Phase 3 trials on hold – at least within the U.K. It remains unclear whether the pause on Phase 3 testing within the U.K. will affect plans for Phase 3 testing within the United States. Along with this isolated report of serious neurological symptoms, studies on phase one and two, which were published in the medical journal the Lancet discovered multiple side effects. These side effects include reactions at the injection site, headaches, muscle pain, and fever, although they did subside during the course of the vaccine trials. Adenovirus Used in AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccine The AstraZeneca vaccine, which is called AZD1222, uses an adenovirus carrying a gene for one of the proteins found in SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus causing COVID-19. Scientists believe the adenovirus will cause the immune system to generate a protective response to SARS-2. While this platform hasn’t been used in any vaccines that have gained approval, it’s been tested in experimental vaccines designed for other viruses, such as the Ebola virus. The advenovirus platform is still considered “experimental,” although it did serve as the basis for a COVID-19 vaccine in Russia. Known as Sputnik-V, this new vaccine was rolled out to the public in Russia within the past week. According to a peer-reviewed study, which was published in the Lancet, that looked at early testing of the Sputnik-V vaccine, the Russian vaccine appears to be safe and effective. Naturally, we have our doubts. It should be noted that most of these vaccine “trials,” involve relatively “young, healthy people.” One can only imagine what the results of these experimental COVID-19 vaccine trials would be, if they were done with an elderly population. And, that’s not to mention testing this new vaccine on people with diabetes, obesity or on multiple prescription medications for preexisting health issues. So, obviously, the jury is still out on what will happen with AstraZeneca’s vaccine moving forward. Feeding into the general public distrust about vaccines, many other vaccine manufacturers remain quite secretive about their “progress.” Stay tuned to NaturalHealth365, as we continue to monitor developments in this story. Sources for this article include: StatNews.com, RT.com, TheLancet.com, NaturalHealth365.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Promising COVID-19 Vaccine Trial on Hold – Setback or Standard Procedure?

AHA Publisher — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 07:00:44 +0000

News Staff via CBN News – There’s been a potential setback in efforts to pursue a COVID-19 vaccine as one of the most promising trials has now been placed on hold. Researchers are pausing the stage three vaccine trial being conducted by Oxford University in the UK after a volunteer came down with an unexplained illness. AstraZeneca, the company developing that vaccine with Oxford, is conducting an investigation to determine if the illness is linked to the trial. In a statement, the company insisted that they won’t seek approval or emergency use until “demonstrating safety and efficacy through a phase 3 clinical study. “The safety and efficacy of vaccines, including any potential vaccine for COVID-19, is reviewed and determined by expert regulatory agencies around the world, such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)” the statement reads. “FDA has established clear guidance for the development of COVID-19 vaccines and clear criteria for their potential authorization or approval in the US.” Chief executives of nine drug companies, including AstraZeneca, BioNTech, Moderna, Pfizer, Novavax, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, and Merck vowed not to rush a vaccine. The pledge is intended to “help ensure public confidence in the rigorous scientific and regulatory process by which COVID-19 vaccines are evaluated and may ultimately be approved.” Scientists are evaluating the public health impact of rushing a vaccine and the potential safety concerns, against the effect of delaying this highly anticipated treatment. But, they point out that temporary halts are common in vaccine trials. Meanwhile, two other vaccines are in stage-three trials in the US. Just this week, President Trump said there could be a vaccine before Election Day. “So, we’re going to have a vaccine very soon. Maybe even before a very special date,” he stated. To read the original article click here. For more articles from CBN News click here.

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Scientists Discover an Antibody That Neutralizes the Coronavirus

AHA Publisher — Thu, 07 May 2020 07:00:21 +0000

Angela Betsaida B. Laguipo, BSN via News-Medical Net – The breakthrough is a significant step in the fight against COVID-19 because the scientists developed it from a single recovered cell, hence, the term monoclonal antibody. This means that the antibody is more potent in developing an effective treatment. To compare, the antibodies that have been extracted across the globe are all polyclonal. …Israel has been one of the most active countries in battling COVID-19, and has been successful in “flattening the curve.” The country has announced dozens of medical studies and technologies they are developing to contain the spread of the virus and treat those who are critically ill. Now, in a significant medical breakthrough, Israel’s Institute for Biological Research Institute (IIBRI) has wrapped up the development of a potential treatment for the coronavirus disease. The scientists say they have identified an antibody that neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 in vitro or outside of a living organism. Identifying an Antibody Against SARS-CoV-2 Israel’s Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said he witnessed a significant breakthrough accomplished by the IIBR in moving towards an antibody against the dreaded virus. The team had already completed the developmental phase and is now preparing for the mass-production of the potential treatment after obtaining a patent for the discovery. Bennett visited the laboratories of the IIBR, a secretive unit that works under the auspices of the office of the Prime Minister. The team shows how the antibody can attack the virus in a monoclonal way and can neutralize it. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced molecules engineered to serve as substitute antibodies that can restore, enhance, or mimic the immune system’s attack on cancer cells. They are designed to bind to antigens that are generally more numerous on the surface of cancer cells than healthy cells. Statement from the Israel Ministry of Defense 3 key parameters: The antibody is monoclonal, new and refined, and contains an exceptionally low proportion of harmful proteins The antibody is able to neutralize the coronavirus The antibody was specifically tested on the aggressive coronavirus “Based on comprehensive scientific publications from around the globe, it appears that the IIBR is the first institution to achieve a scientific breakthrough that meets all three aforementioned parameters simultaneously,” Bennett said in a statement. The IIBR has been leading Israel’s efforts to develop a vaccine and treatment for the novel coronavirus, including testing of blood from those who have already recovered. Antibodies in the samples taken from recovered patients are now being studied for their potential as a possible cure for COVID-19. Antibodies are immune system proteins that are residues of the body’s successful fight against a pathogen. The breakthrough is a significant step in the fight against COVID-19 because the scientists developed it from a single recovered cell, hence, the term monoclonal antibody. This means that the antibody is more potent in developing an effective treatment. To compare, the antibodies that have been extracted across the globe are all polyclonal. Promising Milestone IIBR is now working to patent its antibody discovery, possibly landing a contract for its commercial development. If the antibody continues to show promise as a cure for the coronavirus disease, it will make a significant impact across the affected countries, particularly the hardest-hit countries in Europe. “This is an important milestone, which will be followed by a series of complex tests and a process of regulatory approvals. That said, the scientists at the institute believe that the nature of this breakthrough could lead to a shortening of the process, which could span over several months,” Bennett added. The IIBR has not only developed the antibody against the novel coronavirus, but it was also involved in collecting plasma from recovered patients in an attempt to aid in research. It has also taken part in the progress of developing a vaccine, along with MigVax, an affiliate of the MIGAL Galilee Research Institute. The scientists have reported being close to completing the first phase of developing a potent coronavirus vaccine. The institute is working tirelessly to find a cure for the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 16,000 in the country and has killed at least 238. The IIBR and the town of Yeoham plan to open the country’s first vaccine production facility. They will team up with two international pharmaceutical companies and present the plan for the quick establishment of the facility if the Israeli government provides approval. The coronavirus global pandemic has now affected more than 187 countries and territories. North American and Europe reported the highest number of infections. The high infection rate of the pathogen is driving scientists to race in developing effective vaccines and treatments for the infection. Now, the United States has the highest number of infections… This article has been modified. To read the original article click here.

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