Category: Germany
Germany: PEI reports 42 cases of CVST, 23 Thrombocytopenia, 8 dead after AstraZeneca Vaxevria #coronavirus vaccination
“As of April 2, 2021, 42 cases of a central venous / sinus vein thrombosis reported after vaccination with Vaxzevria. In 23 Thrombocytopenia has also been reported in cases.
In one case where post mortem a central sinus vein thrombosis with cerebral hemorrhage was found, the platelet count could no longer be reliably determined. With the exception of seven cases, they affected all others. Cases in women aged 20 to 63 years. The men were 24 to 58 Year old. Eight patients (5 women, 3 men) died.
For some of the patients who have had post-vaccination sinus thrombosis with thrombocytopenia, high platelet antibodies were found which are common with the clinical picture of a disease similar to an autoimmune one Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (aHIT). And a HIT Thromboses can also occur without the administration of heparin.
The Paul Ehrlich Institute has numerically more case reports from Sinus vein thrombosis after vaccination with Vaxzevria in women before (83.3% vs. 16.7%), whereby young women were particularly often affected. However, according to the information provided by Robert Koch Institute, women were also vaccinated more often than men. There were significantly more cases for women aged 20-59 years observed than expected based on the background incidence.”
Report download (PDF): Suspected side effects and vaccination complications after vaccination to protect against COVID-19 (Verdachtsfälle von Nebenwirkungen und Impfkomplikationen nach Impfung zum Schutz vor COVID-19)
Image by Michael Siebert from Pixabay
EU: ECHR throws fuel on the #coronavirus vaccination fire – backs mandatory jabs for kids
The European Court of Human Rights ruled on Thursday that democratic governments can make vaccinations obligatory, in a landmark judgement rejecting complaints brought by Czech families penalised for refusing compulsory jabs for their children.
“The… measures could be regarded as being ‘necessary in a democratic society'” the court ruled, saying that the Czech health policy was consistent with the “best interests” of children.
Our opinion: ** Is there an easier or quicker way of antagonising parents in the middle of a global viral pandemic than encouraging mandatory vaccinations? We can’t think of one. Expect severe blowback **
Rapid rise of #coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 spike mutation T478K found in Mexico and several European countries
We report the distribution of the Spike mutation S:T478K and its recent growth in prevalence in the SARS-CoV-2 population. While there is currently no report of association of this variant with clinical features, S:T478K’s rapid growth may indicate an increased adaption of SARS-CoV-2 variants carrying it, particularly lineage B.1.1.222.
The distribution of this mutation is higher in North America, but we could detect it also in several European countries. The location of S:T478K in the interaction complex with human ACE2 may affect the affinity with human cells and therefore influence viral infectivity.
We detected this growth starting at the beginning of 2021, and S:T478K is, at the time of writing (March 26, 2021) characterizing almost 2.0% of all sequenced SARS-CoV-2
An in silico molecular dynamics study on the protein structure of Spike has predicted that the T478K mutation, substituting a non-charged amino acid (Threonine) with a positive one (Lysine) may significantly alter the electrostatic surface of the protein, and therefore the interaction with ACE2, drugs or antibodies, and that the effect can be increased if combined by other co-occurring Spike mutations.
Another experiment showed that T478K and T478R mutants were enriched when SARS-CoV-2 viral cultures were tested against weak neutralizing antibodies, highlighting, at least in vitro, a possible genetic route the virus can follow to escape immune recognition. Everything considered, we believe that the continued genetical and clinical monitoring of S:T478K and other Spike mutations is of paramount importance to better understand COVID-19 and be able to better counteract its future developments.
Germany: no second AstraZeneca #coronavirus vaccination for under 60’s – mRNA recommended instead
The German Standing Vaccination Commission recommends that people under the age of 60 for a should receive an RNA vaccine such as that from BioNTech for their second vaccination.
It will be recommended “that these people receive their second, so-called heterologous, vaccination with an RNA vaccine such as BioNTech. Animal experiment data show that the immune reaction is the same after heterologous vaccination,” said the head of the Standing Vaccination Commission, Thomas Mertens, in an interview with the news magazine Spiegel.
Germany: 9 dead, 31 cases of sinus vein thrombosis after vaccination with AstraZeneca #coronavirus vaccine
By March 29, 2021, 31 cases of sinus vein thrombosis after vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) were reported to the Paul Ehrlich Institute as part of the spontaneous recording. Thrombocytopenia was also reported in 19 cases. The outcome was fatal in nine cases.
With the exception of two cases, all reports concerned women aged 20 to 63 years. The two men were 36 and 57 years old. The very rare cases of cerebral vein thrombosis were only reported to the Paul Ehrlich Institute after the first vaccination.
Berlin and Munich stop #coronavirus vaccination with Astrazeneca vaccine for under 60’s – rest of Germany likely to follow
First, as a precaution, Berlin and Munich suspended the vaccinations with AstraZeneca for under 60-year-olds. Now the Standing Vaccination Commission will probably change its age recommendations for the preparation.
According to a draft resolution, the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) wants to change its recommendations for the use of AstraZeneca’s corona vaccine. The Stiko Corona vaccinations with AstraZeneca only recommend for women and men over 60 in Germany.
The Berlin clinics Charité and Vivantes had previously announced the vaccination ban with reference to cases of cerebral vein thrombosis. Charité spokeswoman Manuela Zingl said “From the Charité’s point of view, this step is necessary because further cerebral vein thromboses in women in Germany have become known in the meantime.”
Image by Brigitte makes custom works from your photos, thanks a lot from Pixabay
Germany #coronavirus: Angela Merkel announces “super lockdown” for Easter
The German federal and state governments decide to tighten the five-day Easter lockdown.
From April 1st to 5th inclusive, i.e. from Maundy Thursday to Easter Monday, public, economic and private life is to be largely shut down. The lockdown to combat the corona pandemic will be extended to April 18.
According to the decision, gatherings in public spaces are generally prohibited during this period. Where outside catering is already open, it has to be closed again for these five days. Churches and religious communities are asked to only make online offers for believers at Easter. Only vaccination and test centers should remain open.
EMA: If you have these symptoms after vaccination with AstraZeneca #coronavirus serum seek medical help immediately
“Wheezing, chest or stomach pain, swelling or coldness in an arm or leg, severe headache or worsening or blurred vision after vaccination, persistent bleeding, small multiple bruises, reddish or purplish spots or blisters of blood under the skin” – if you have these symptoms after vaccination against Covid with AstraZeneca serum seek medical help immediately and report that you have recently been vaccinated.
Image by Usman Yousaf from Pixabay
German researchers discovers AstraZeneca #coronavirus vaccine thrombosis trigger
Scientists at Greifswald teaching hospital claim they have discovered the cause of blood clots among a small number of AstraZeneca vaccine recipients. Doctors say a targeted treatment can now be used.
Researchers at the Greifswald teaching hospital in northern Germany said on Friday that they had discovered the cause of the unusual blood clotting found in some recipients of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, public broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) reported.
The investigation showed how the vaccine caused rare thrombosis in the brain in a small number of patients. The discovery means that targeted treatment can be offered to those who suffer similar clotting, using a very common medication.
The researchers emphasized that treatment would only be possible in patients where blood clots appear, rather than as a preventative treatment.
Image by fernando zhiminaicela from Pixabay
Germany cancels #coronavirus lockdown relaxations due to exponential growth of virus
Germany weighs longer COVID lockdown amid ‘exponential’ rise. German Health Minister Jens Spahn has said that rising infections mean it may be impossible to ease restrictions in the coming weeks. Experts now warn that the rise in cases is “clearly exponential.”
Germany: “A specific form of severe cerebral venous thrombosis associated with platelet deficiency (thrombocytopenia) and bleeding has been identified in seven cases in temporal association with vaccination with #coronavirus vaccine AstraZeneca
Paul Ehrlich Institute:Â A specific form of severe cerebral venous thrombosis associated with platelet deficiency (thrombocytopenia) and bleeding has been identified in seven cases (as of 15 March 2021) in temporal association with vaccination with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.
(1) It is a very serious disease that is also difficult to treat. Of the seven affected individuals, three individuals had died.
(2) The affected individuals had ages ranging from about 20 to 50 years.
(3) Six of the affected persons had a particular form of cerebral venous thrombosis, called sinus vein thrombosis. All six individuals were younger to middle-aged women (see above). Another case with cerebral hemorrhage in platelet deficiency and thrombosis was medically very comparable. All cases occurred between four and 16 days after vaccination with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca. This presented as a comparable pattern.
(4) The number of these cases after vaccination with COVID-19 AstraZeneca is statistically significantly higher than the number of cerebral venous thromboses that normally occur in the unvaccinated population. For this purpose, an observed-versus-expected analysis was performed, comparing the number of cases expected without vaccination in a 14-day time window with the number of cases reported after approximately 1.6 million AstraZeneca vaccinations in Germany. About one case would have been expected, and seven cases had been reported.
Full report from Paul Ehrlich Institute (PDF)
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
European Medicines Agency: Carry On Poisoning
EMA: “the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing COVID-19, with its associated risk of hospitalisation and death, outweigh the risks of side effects.”
Translation: The end justifies the means.
Full EMA Statement “EMA’s safety committee continues investigation of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca and thromboembolic events – further update”
See related:
Sonia Battaglia in intensive care days after an AstraZeneca vaccination
Professor Annamaria Mantile, 62, died four days after AstraZeneca vaccination
Vincenzo Russo, school janitor from Naples, died four days after AstraZeneca vaccination
Giuseppe Maniscalco, Italian Carabiniere , 54, died two days after AstraZenica vaccination
Giuseppe Morabito, Bologna professor, died 10 days after having AstraZeneca vaccination
Sandro Tognatti, Italian professor and musician, died after AstraZeneca vaccination
Davide Villa, Italian policeman died after AstraZeneca vaccination
Stefano Paternò died following AstraZeneca vaccination
Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Bulgaria, Indonesia & Thailand have suspended AstraZeneca vaccinations over blood clot fears.
Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg and Lithuania have suspended vaccinations with some AstraZeneca batches, notably ABV5811 ABV2856 and ABV5300
Germany: There is a very special, rarely occurring form of thrombosis, which seems to have occurred shortly after vaccination” [with the Astrazeneca #coronavirus vaccine]
“Last week it looked as if the problems that arose were ordinary thromboses. They happen quite often,” said Anke Huckriede, professor of vaccinology at the Dutch University of Groningen, the Science Media Center. “Now there seems to be more recent information that it is a very special, rarely occurring form of thrombosis, of which some cases seem to have occurred shortly after the vaccination.” That was suspicious.
“Against the background of these newly reported cases, the Paul Ehrlich Institute reassessed the situation today and recommended suspension of the vaccination and further examinations,” said Health Minister Jens Spahn at a press conference.
Image by FelixMittermeier from Pixabay
Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Indonesia & Thailand suspend Astrazeneca vaccinations
Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Indonesia & Thailand have suspended AstraZeneca vaccinations over blood clot fears.
Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg and Lithuania have suspended vaccinations with some Astrazeneca batches, notably ABV5811 ABV2856 and ABV5300
ABV5300 was delivered to 17 European countries – Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden – and in total comprises one million doses.
Update: Spain has also suspended use of the vaccine for 15 days as a precaution. This was decided by the inter-territorial council of the Spanish Health.
Image by Liz Masoner from Pixabay