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Too Dangerous for Ice Cream, but “Safe” for Newborn Injections?

The AHA! Team — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 05:09:28 +0000

Edit Lang via NaturalHealth365 – A shocking double standard is emerging in the world of chemical safety that should outrage every parent. Scientists have recently published damning evidence that Polysorbate 80 (PS-80) – a synthetic emulsifier found in a wide range of products, including ice cream and salad dressing – accelerates intestinal aging and triggers severe metabolic dysfunction. Yet this same chemical is routinely injected directly into newborns through 22 different vaccines. The contradiction is staggering: If PS-80 is too dangerous to eat, how can health authorities claim it’s safe to bypass all natural defenses and inject it straight into developing babies? What’s really aging your gut from the inside out? A study published in Food Research International has revealed the devastating effects of PS-80 on intestinal health. Researchers have discovered that this ubiquitous food additive not only disrupts digestion but also accelerates the aging process at the cellular level. The study revealed PS-80’s sinister mechanism: it activates specific metabolic pathways that flood intestinal cells with toxic fats, triggering what scientists call “lipotoxicity.” This process generates massive amounts of free radicals and inflammatory compounds, essentially fast-forwarding intestinal aging. Essentially, PS-80 tricks your intestines into absorbing dangerous amounts of fats, creating a toxic environment that ages your gut decades faster than normal. Why is “too dangerous for food” somehow safe for a baby’s bloodstream? Here’s where the story gets truly disturbing. Food safety experts are increasingly calling for the elimination of PS-80 from processed foods due to mounting evidence of harm. KFF Health News recently published an exposé detailing how emulsifiers, such as PS-80, “alter the mix of bacteria in the gut, damage the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, and trigger inflammation.” Yet while food regulators debate removing PS-80 from your sandwich, vaccine manufacturers continue injecting it directly into children, including newborns on their first day of life. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia admits PS-80 is present in 22 vaccines given to children or pregnant women, but dismisses concerns by claiming the amount is “comparable to an extremely tiny piece of a raisin.” This comparison is not only misleading but also dangerously irrelevant. Your stomach can filter it, but your bloodstream can’t Children’s Health Defense Senior Research Scientist Karl Jablonowski cuts through the regulatory doublespeak: “Anything that is injected bypasses our natural defenses. A substance that is unfit to ingest is certainly unfit to inject.” The science backs this up. Research shows PS-80 is significantly more toxic when injected compared to oral consumption. While your digestive system can partially filter ingested PS-80, injection delivers it directly into the muscle tissue and bloodstream, bypassing all natural protective barriers. Even more concerning, PS-80 crosses the blood-brain barrier. Pediatrician Dr. Lawrence Palevsky raises the obvious question: “What viral, bacterial, yeast, heavy metal, or other vaccine-containing ingredient needs to pass into the brains of our children?” Recent research reveals PS-80’s composition is far more variable and toxic than previously understood, containing up to 355 different compounds that can trigger immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. Day one of life: Is this really when we start poisoning babies? The timing of PS-80 exposure makes this controversy even more outrageous. Infants following the CDC’s recommended vaccine schedule are exposed to PS-80 at birth through RSV and hepatitis B shots, precisely when their detoxification systems are most vulnerable. New research published in the International Journal of Medical Sciences reveals that underdeveloped liver enzyme pathways in infants may make it harder for them to process toxic vaccine ingredients, potentially contributing to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). What you don’t know about hidden vaccine ingredients could kill Perhaps most disturbing is the potential for PS-80 to cause generational harm. The manufacturing process leaves behind sorbitol residues with known side effects, including dehydration, organ dysfunction, and metabolic disruption. To hide the resulting cloudiness in vaccines, manufacturers add undisclosed chemicals like organosiloxane and silicon dioxide – neither of which is required to be listed on labels. Dr. Arthur Brawer’s research suggests these hidden additives can amplify vaccine toxicity, potentially contributing to the epidemic of chronic autoimmune diseases plaguing our children. How to protect your family when regulators won’t You have more power than regulatory agencies want you to believe: Immediate actions: Eliminate processed foods containing PS-80 (check labels for “Polysorbate 80”) Choose whole, unprocessed foods that don’t require emulsifiers Research vaccine ingredients before consenting to injections for your children Demand transparency about all vaccine additives from healthcare providers Support your child’s detoxification systems with nutrient-dense foods Demand accountability: Question why substances deemed unsafe for food remain “safe” for injection Contact representatives about this regulatory double standard Support research into vaccine excipient safety Join advocacy groups demanding honest vaccine ingredient disclosure The time for blind trust is over The PS-80 paradox highlights a fundamental flaw in our regulatory system: chemicals can simultaneously be deemed “too dangerous” for ice cream yet considered “perfectly safe” for newborn injections. This contradiction should shatter any remaining faith in authorities who claim to protect our children while exposing them to known toxins. Every parent deserves honest answers about what’s being put into their children’s bodies. The emerging science on PS-80 demands immediate action – not more studies, not more delays, but real protection for our most vulnerable citizens. Whole Body Detox Summit If you’re ready to take control of your family’s toxic burden and support natural detoxification, Jonathan Landsman’s Whole Body Detox Summit brings together 27 leading experts who share proven strategies for safely removing these dangerous chemicals and protecting your children’s developing systems. The double standard ends when parents demand better. Your child’s health depends on seeing through the regulatory deception and taking action now. Sources for this article include: Sciencedirect.com Childrenshealthdefense.org 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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Research Underway on Young Adults Experiencing Myocarditis After COVID Vaccine

AHA Publisher — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 08:00:17 +0000

Steve Warren via CBN News – Researchers are looking into cases of serious side effects occurring in some young adults after they received a COVID-19 vaccination, including the possibility of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. In the U.S. since late 2020, there have been around 1,000 known reports of vaccine-related myocarditis or pericarditis in children under age 18, primarily young males, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But the CDC does not have data on the number of cases of young adults in their 20s, which has become an age group of particular concern. NBC News was the first mainstream media outlet to admit last month to the possible link between the COVID vaccines and myocarditis in young adults. The first research trials are finally underway in the U.S. to monitor these side effects. Both drugmakers who developed the COVID-19 vaccines, Moderna and Pfizer are involved. Moderna has already started two studies. Pfizer is preparing to launch another in the next couple of months that will include up to 500 teens and young adults under age 21, according to NBC News. The Food and Drug Administration has now made the studies compulsory for the companies to weigh the possible long-term effects of myocarditis. Early research conclusions could be published next year, the outlet reported. An FDA official told NBC News the chance of having myocarditis occur following vaccination is “very low.” Other Instances of Vaccine Complications Newly released data obtained from the CDC also shows the first people to receive the COVID-19 vaccines, like healthcare workers, did report a high rate of serious complications after receiving the shot. Just the News reports among the 10 million-plus users of the agency’s v-safe active monitoring smartphone app through July — 8.5 million of whom signed up between December 2020 and April 2021, before all adults were eligible for COVID vaccines — nearly 8% said they required medical care after receiving the vaccines. The data was acquired by the Informed Consent Action Network. It received the information after filing a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the CDC. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, more than 7,500 claims have been filed alleging serious injury from the COVID-19 vaccines as of Nov. 1. There may also be a problem with vaccine booster shots as well. Last January, an original study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported about the risk of myocarditis after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination. “Based on passive surveillance reporting in the US, the risk of myocarditis after receiving mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines was increased across multiple age and sex strata and was highest after the second vaccination dose in adolescent males and young men,” the study said. As CBN News reported in October, Florida’s Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo issued new guidance regarding mRNA shots, warning they are associated with an 84% increase in cardiac-related adverse events among males 18-39 years old. While the Florida study wasn’t published in a peer-reviewed journal, Ladapo contends the study, along with other peer-reviewed research that points to similar results, indicates young males in this age range could be at risk from those types of vaccines. Symptoms of myocarditis include: Chest pain Shortness of breath Feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart To read the original article click here.

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Breakthrough Antibody Discovery Could Mean End to Covid Vaccines

AHA Publisher — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 07:00:55 +0000

Nicky Blackburn via Israel21c – A team of researchers has discovered that antibodies isolated from the immune system of recovered COVID-19 patients are effective in neutralizing all known strains of the virus, including the Delta and Omicron variants. According to the researchers, targeted treatment with these antibodies delivered to the body in high concentrations may eliminate the need for repeated booster vaccinations and strengthen the immune system of populations at risk. The research, which was carried out at Tel Aviv University, is the continuation of a previous study conducted in October 2020. Led by Dr. Natalia Freund, from the university’s Clinical Microbiology and Immunology Department, in the initial study the research team sequenced all the B immune system cells from the blood of people who had recovered from the original COVID strain in Israel, and isolated nine antibodies that the patients produced. In the new study, the researchers found that some of these antibodies are very effective in neutralizing the new coronavirus variants, Delta and Omicron. “In the current study, we proved that two antibodies, TAU-1109 and TAU-2310, which bind the viral spike protein in a different area from the region where most of the antibodies were concentrated until now (and were therefore less effective in neutralizing the original strain) are actually very effective in neutralizing the Delta and Omicron variants,” said Freund. “According to our findings, the effectiveness of the first antibody, TAU-1109, in neutralizing the Omicron strain is 92%, and in neutralizing the Delta strain, 90%. The second antibody, TAU-2310, neutralizes the Omicron variant with an efficacy of 84%, and the Delta variant with an efficacy of 97%.” Freund believes that the efficacy of these antibodies might be related to the evolution of the virus, which became increasingly infectious with each variant, changing the amino acid sequence of the part of the spike protein that binds to the ACE2 receptor. “In contrast, the antibodies TAU-1109 and TAU-2310 don’t bind to the ACE2 receptor binding site, but to another region of the spike protein – an area of the viral spike that for some reason does not undergo many mutations – and are therefore effective in neutralizing more viral variants,” she said. “These findings emerged as we tested all the known COVID strains to date,” she added. The two antibodies cloned in Freund’s laboratory, were sent for tests to check effectiveness against live viruses in laboratory cultures at the University of California San Diego, and against pseudoviruses in the laboratories of the Faculty of Medicine of Bar-Ilan University in the Galilee; the results were identical and equally encouraging in both tests. Freund said that she believes these antibodies can bring about a real revolution in the fight against COVID-19, by providing a viable alternative to booster doses. “We need to look at the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of previous disease outbreaks that humankind has witnessed. People who were vaccinated against smallpox at birth and who today are 50-years-old still have antibodies, so they are probably protected, at least partially, from the monkeypox virus that we have recently been hearing about,” she explained. “Unfortunately, this is not the case with the coronavirus. For reasons we still don’t yet fully understand, the level of antibodies against COVID-19 declines significantly after three months, which is why we see people getting infected again and again, even after being vaccinated three times. “In our view, targeted treatment with antibodies and their delivery to the body in high concentrations can serve as an effective substitute for repeated boosters, especially for at-risk populations and those with weakened immune systems,” she said. “COVID-19 infection can cause serious illness, and we know that providing antibodies in the first days following infection can stop the spread of the virus. It is therefore possible that by using effective antibody treatment, we will not have to provide booster doses to the entire population every time there is a new variant,” she concluded. The research was also carried out by doctoral students Michael Mor and Ruofan Lee of the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, and in collaboration with Dr. Ben Croker of the University of California San Diego, Prof. Ye Xiang of Tsinghua University in Beijing, Prof. Meital Gal-Tanamy and Dr. Moshe Dessau of Bar-Ilan University. The study was published in the Nature journal Communications Biology. To read the original article click here.

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The Dream Team: Scientists Find Drug Duo That May Cure COVID-19 Together

AHA Publisher — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 07:00:11 +0000

Tokyo University of Science via EurekAlert – COVID-19 continues to claim lives across the world and is infecting millions more. Although several vaccines have recently become available, making significant strides towards preventing COVID-19, what about the treatment of those who already have the infection? Vaccines aren’t 100% effective, highlighting the need–now more than ever–for effective antiviral therapeutics. Moreover, some people can’t receive vaccines due to health issues, and new variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, that can penetrate vaccine-conferred immunity, are being reported, indicating that we need to think beyond prevention. Given this need, a team of researchers based in Japan, the US, and the UK launched a project to develop effective therapeutics. This team included several researchers based at Tokyo University of Science: Visiting Professor Koichi Watashi, Dr. Hirofumi Ohashi, Professor Shin Aoki, Professor Kouji Kuramochi, and Assistant Professor Tomohiro Tanaka. Their goal was clear and simple: finding a cure for COVID-19. To achieve this goal, the researchers first established an experimental system for screening drugs that may help to control infections. This system used a type of cells called VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells, which were manipulated to efficiently be infected with and produce SARS-CoV-2. “To determine whether a drug of interest could help combat infection by SARS-CoV-2, we simply had to expose VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells to both the drug and SARS-CoV-2 and then observe whether the drug’s presence served to hinder the virus’s efforts to infect cells,” explains Professor Watashi. The researchers used this experimental system to screen a panel of drugs that are already approved for clinical use, including drugs like remdesivir and chloroquine that have already being approved or are being trialed as treatments for COVID-19. In an exciting outcome, the researchers found two drugs that provided effective SARS-CoV-2 suppression: cepharanthine, which is used to treat inflammation, and nelfinavir, which is approved for the treatment of HIV infection. Cepharanthine inhibited the entry of the virus into cells by preventing the virus from binding to a protein on the cell membrane, which it uses as a gateway. In contrast, nelfinavir worked to prevent the virus from replicating inside the cell by inhibiting a protein that the virus relies on for replication. Given that these drugs have distinct antiviral mechanisms, using both of them together could be especially effective for patients, with computational models predicting that combined cepharanthine/nelfinavir therapy can hasten the clearance of SARS-CoV-2 from a patient’s lungs by as few as 4.9 days. So, does this mean we will be seeing these new drugs in COVID-19 treatment centers? Of course, the drug duo isn’t ready to be rolled out into healthcare systems just yet. These findings justify further research into the clinical potential of cepharanthine/nelfinavir therapy, and only following this can we say for sure that it is useful and helpful. Nevertheless, given the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ever-increasing death toll, the development of cepharanthine/nelfinavir therapy may provide clinicians and patients with a much-needed new treatment option. To read the original article click here.

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Algae to the Rescue: Remove Heavy Metals from Your Body Before It’s Too Late

AHA Publisher — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 07:00:24 +0000

Karen Sanders via NaturalHealth365 – For years, natural healthcare professionals have sounded the alarm about the dangers of heavy metals in our food supply and immediate environment; even Western medicine is starting to take notice. In fact, the use of mercury in dental amalgams, vaccines, and consuming contaminated seafood like salmon can dramatically increase the risks for autism, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, thyroid disorders, plus a host of immune-related disorders. Therefore, we ought to focus on removing heavy metals – before it’s too late. Naturally, the best way to minimize your risk for disease – is to avoid unwanted toxins from entering the body. But, like most people, getting rid of already consumed toxins ought to be a top priority. This Green Algae Binds to Heavy Metals and Ushers Them Out of the Body Recent medical research shows that chlorella, a single-celled micro-algae, can come to the rescue by flushing toxins from the body. Although chlorella (green algae) is regularly consumed by over 10 million people in Japan – giving it popularity that rivals that of vitamin C in the United States – most Americans have generally lagged in recognizing the phenomenal benefits of this superfood. Chlorella, and its detoxifying effects, have been the subject of medical research in the United States, Russia, and many countries throughout Europe. Chlorella’s unique molecular structure allows it to bind to heavy metals, including cadmium, mercury, arsenic, antinomy, and lead. A testament to chlorella’s binding capacities is that it has been used in mine shafts to collect residual metals. Researchers are particularly intrigued by chlorella’s ability to bind to – and eliminate – toxins in the body, but not essential minerals such as calcium, zinc, and manganese, almost as if the algae “knows” which substances belong in the body. It is chlorella’s high levels of chlorophyll that allow it to promote the processing of oxygen while helping to repair and grow healthy tissue. In addition to its detoxifying powers, chlorella can help reduce body fat, lower cholesterol and blood pressure and cleanse the excretory system. Wow! The Science on Chlorella Is Extraordinary A three-year study was performed at a foundry in Russia on people who had been exposed to high levels of toxic heavy metals. At the study’s end, researchers found that chlorella, administered along with the spice cilantro, succeeded in safely removing all heavy metals from the subjects’ bodies. Animal research has also demonstrated chlorella’s benefits. In fact, a study in which laboratory mice were given chlorella after being exposed to high amounts of cadmium – a toxic heavy metal. The data clearly showed that chlorella had a strong protective effect and even helped restore liver structure and function. A second study showed that mice given chlorella excreted more lead in their feces than mice that had not been given the algae – data that supports chlorella’s ability to help flush toxins from the body. The chlorella group of mice also absorbed significantly less lead in their kidneys and livers. Animal studies also support chlorella’s anticancer powers. Chlorella has been found to promote apoptosis, or programmed cell suicide, in liver cancer cells in rats. Apoptosis does not normally occur in cancer cells – although it is part of the metabolic process of normal cells; thus, any substance that promotes cancer cell apoptosis is viewed with great interest by medical researchers. In a scholarly review, published in 2011, in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health – the authors listed chlorella as among the natural substances that are “enormously valuable in facilitating excretion and reducing biochemical toxicities.” The authors speculated that chlorella’s mechanisms of action could include preventing the absorption of toxins, diminishing their toxicity through protective mechanisms, and hindering their recycling in the body. Taking the RIGHT Variety of Chlorella Is Key to Access its Exceptional Nutritional Profile Not only is this superfood composed of 50 percent protein, but it also contains all the amino acids needed to form additional proteins. Large amounts of vitamin C and antioxidant carotenoids are also found in chlorella, along with iron, vitamin K, and B-complex vitamins. Chlorella can be used to enhance vitamin B and protein levels, making it especially beneficial for vegans and vegetarians. However, the tough cell walls of chlorella can make it difficult to digest its nutrients. As the cell walls play an important role in binding with heavy metals and ushering them from the body, scientists needed to find a way to disturb the integrity of the cell walls without negating their benefits. Consuming the “broken-cell” variety of chlorella will allow your body to access its nutrients. Keep in mind, once heavy metals have entered the cells – it’s much more challenging to detoxify the body. Although chlorella is great for preventing the digestion of ‘new’ heavy metal debris – seriously toxic individuals may need other supplements (or protocols). Finally, depending on the degree of digestive inflammation, when you try to mobilize toxins – be sure you’re eliminating them properly to avoid negative (often serious) side effects. Here Is How to Use Chlorella and What You Should Pay Attention To Chlorella is available in tablet, powder, and liquid forms and in two different varieties: Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Although some experts believe that Chlorella pyrenoidosa has the more potent detoxifying effects of the two, it’s worth noting that Chlorella vulgaris has also performed well in laboratory studies. Whichever type you use, make sure it is in the broken-cell-wall form. And, because chlorella can harbor toxic elements from the environment, it is important to obtain it from a trusted, reputable source. The usual recommended serving of chlorella is between 2 and 5 grams a day. Using the powder in recipes for bread or cookies helps to mask the taste, which some find objectionable; you can also mix powdered chlorella into a favorite beverage or simply take it in tablet form. In a world where our bodies are besieged daily by chemtrails, GMOs, and other environmental pollutants – this tiny green alga known as chlorella can have enormous benefit as a powerful ally against toxic heavy metals. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov Hindawi.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Pfizer Says Early Data Signals COVID-19 Vaccine Is Effective

AHA Publisher — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 08:00:02 +0000

Associated Press via CBN News – Pfizer says an early peek at its vaccine data suggests the shots maybe 90% effective at preventing COVID-19, indicating the company is on track later this month to file an emergency use application with U.S. regulators. Monday’s announcement doesn’t mean a vaccine is imminent: This interim analysis, from an independent data monitoring board, looked at 94 infections recorded so far in a study that has enrolled nearly 44,000 people in the U.S. and five other countries. Pfizer Inc. did not provide any more details about those cases and cautioned the initial protection rate might change by the time the study ends. Even revealing such early data is highly unusual. “We’re in a position potentially to be able to offer some hope,” Dr. Bill Gruber, Pfizer’s senior vice president of clinical development, told The Associated Press. “We’re very encouraged.” Authorities have stressed it’s unlikely any vaccine will arrive much before the end of the year, and limited initial supplies will be rationed. The shots made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech are among 10 possible vaccine candidates in late-stage testing around the world – four of them so far in huge studies in the U.S. Another U.S. company, Moderna Inc., also has said it hopes to be able to file an application with the Food and Drug Administration later this month. Volunteers in the final-stage studies, and the researchers, don’t know who received the real vaccine or a dummy shot. But a week after their second required dose, Pfizer’s study began counting the number who developed COVID-19 symptoms and were confirmed to have the coronavirus. Because the study hasn’t ended, Gruber couldn’t say how many in each group had infections. Doing the math, that would mean almost all the infections counted so far had to have occurred in people who got the dummy shots. Pfizer doesn’t plan to stop its study until it records 164 infections among all the volunteers, a number that the FDA has agreed is enough to tell how well the vaccine is working. The agency has made clear that any vaccine must be at least 50% effective. No participant so far has become severely ill, Gruber said. Nor could he provide a breakdown of how many of the infections had occurred in older people, who are at the highest risk from COVID-19. Participants were tested only if they developed symptoms, leaving unanswered whether vaccinated people could get infected but show no symptoms and unknowingly spread the virus. FDA has required that U.S. vaccine candidates be studied in at least 30,000 people. In addition to adequate numbers of older adults, those studies must also include other groups at high risk, including minorities and people with chronic health problems. And it told companies they must track half their participants for side effects for at least two months, the time period when problems typically crop up. Pfizer expects to reach that milestone later this month but said Monday no serious safety concerns have been reported. Because the pandemic is still raging, manufacturers hope to seek permission from governments around the world for emergency use of their vaccines while additional testing continues – allowing them to get to market faster than normal but raising concerns about how much scientists will know about the shots. The FDA’s scientific advisers last month said they worry that allowing emergency use of a COVID-19 vaccine could damage confidence in the shots and make it harder to ever find out how well they really work. Those advisers said it’s critical these massive studies are allowed to run to completion. Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. To read the original article click here. For more articles from CBN News click here.

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Pre-Existing Coronavirus Antibodies Could Help Protect Children Against New Pandemic Strain

AHA Publisher — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 08:00:22 +0000

The Francis Crick Institute via EurekAlert – Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and University College London have found that some antibodies, created by the immune system during infection with common cold coronaviruses, can also target SARS-CoV-2 and may confer a degree of protection against the new viral strain. In response to infection with a virus, the immune system creates antibodies to help fight it. These antibodies remain in the blood for a period after infection, and in the case of re-infection, they are able to tackle the virus again. In their paper, published in Science today (Friday 6 November), the scientists found that some people, notably children, have antibodies reactive to SARS-CoV-2 in their blood, despite not ever having being infected with the virus. These antibodies are likely the result of exposure to other coronaviruses, which cause a common cold and which have structural similarities with SARS-CoV-2. The researchers made this discovery while developing highly sensitive antibody tests for COVID-19. To see how well their assay tests were performing, they compared the blood of patients with COVID-19 to patients who had not had the disease. Surprisingly, they found that some people who had not been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 had antibodies in their blood which would recognise the virus. To confirm their findings, they analysed over 300 blood samples collected before the pandemic, between 2011 and 2018. Nearly all samples had antibodies that reacted with common cold coronaviruses, which was expected given how everyone has been exposed to these viruses at some point in their lives. However, a small fraction of adult donors, about 1 in 20, also had antibodies that cross-reacted with SARS-CoV-2, and this was not dependent on recent infection with a common cold coronavirus.* Notably, such cross-reactive antibodies were found much more frequently in blood samples taken from children aged 6 to 16. Kevin Ng, lead author and post-graduate student in the Retroviral Immunology Laboratory at the Crick says: “Our results show that children are much more likely to have these cross-reactive antibodies than adults. More research is needed to understand why this is, but it could be down to children being more regularly exposed to other coronaviruses. “These higher levels we observed in children could also help explain why they are less likely to become severely ill with COVID-19. There is no evidence yet, however, that these antibodies prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection or spread.” In the lab, the researchers tested the antibodies they found in blood from uninfected people to confirm they are able to neutralise SARS-CoV-2. They found the cross-reactive antibodies target the S2 subunit of the spike protein on the surface of the virus. George Kassiotis, senior author and group leader of the Retroviral Immunology Laboratory at the Crick says: “The spike of this coronavirus is made of two parts or subunits, performing different jobs. The S1 subunit allows the virus to latch onto cells and is relatively diverse among coronaviruses, whereas the S2 subunit lets the virus into cells and is more similar among these viruses. Our work shows that the S2 subunit is sufficiently similar between common cold coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 for some antibodies to work against both. “It was previously thought that only antibodies to the S1 could block infection, but there is now good evidence that some antibodies to S2 can be just as effective. This is exciting as understanding the basis for this activity could lead to vaccines that work against a range of coronaviruses, including the common cold strains, as well as SARS-CoV-2 and any future pandemic strains. “But it is important to stress that there are still many unknowns which require further research. For example, exactly how is immunity to one coronavirus modified by exposure to another? Or why does this activity decline with age? It is not the case that people who have recently had a cold should think they are immune to COVID-19.” A large study is now underway, in partnership with researchers at Imperial College London and University College London, to uncover the role that different antibodies and other immune defences play in protection against COVID-19 and how severely ill people become. To read the original article click here.

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Johnson & Johnson Halts Vaccine Test, WHO Warns Against Harsh Lockdowns to Fight COVID

AHA Publisher — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 07:00:05 +0000

News Staff via CBN News – Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has paused a late-stage study for a potential COVID-19 vaccine while the company investigates whether an “unexplained illness” with one of the study’s participants is related to the shot. The company said in a statement that illnesses, accidents, and other so-called adverse events “are an expected part of any clinical study, especially large studies.” Additionally, physicians and a safety monitoring panel are working to determine what could have caused the illness. The pause encompasses all trials, including a large phase-3 trial that launched in September and focused on recruiting 60,000 people in the US and several other countries. J&J Chief Financial Officer Joseph Wolk said on Tuesday the company remains optimistic the delay will conclude after a few days, but the illness is “still under investigation, and we’re going to let that process play out.” Wolk added, “Right now it’s in the hands of the independent drug-safety monitoring board.” CBN News previously reported on another COVID-19 vaccine that was placed on hold last month after a volunteer came down with an unexplained illness. AstraZeneca, the company developing the vaccine with Oxford University in the United Kingdom, instructed researchers to pause the vaccine trial as a precautionary measure. J&J’s CFO explained the potential for obstacles and setbacks to arise during these types of trials. “This is the largest vaccine study that’s out there,” Wolk said. “It’s endeavoring to study 60,000 patients. When you have a study of that size, it’s not uncommon to see unexpected illnesses within the population. That’s for any drug across any therapeutic area. This is something that’s not foreign in the development process.” WHO Warns Against Lockdowns Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) officials are now warning against lockdowns as a way to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Dr. Michael Ryan, executive director of the organization’s health emergencies program explained the significance of preventing another widespread lockdown. “What we want to try and avoid, and sometimes it’s unavoidable – we accept that – but what we want to try and avoid are these massive lockdowns that are so punishing to communities, to society and to everything else,” he said. “So, we don’t want to flip from no cases, everything’s open, a few cases, everything shuts down again, because that’s exactly the sort of scenario that we want to try and avoid.” Ryan added that instead of lockdowns, countries should focus on surveillance, tracking, education, and other measures. To read the original article click here. For more articles from CBN News click here.

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