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This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission
A pause in the last stage of the trial of a Covid-19 vaccine shows that the proper processes are being followed and that it is not a “rush job”, says British clinical virologist Dr Chris Smith.
Oxford University’s AstraZeneca trial was halted earlier this week after a person who received the vaccine in the UK was hospitalized for neurological complications.
The Oxford vaccine is now in phase three trials, which means large trials in large groups of people.
Joan Mateu / AP
The race for a vaccine has begun.
There is also a control group of other people who have received a vaccine but don’t know which one; The control group has actually received a meningitis vaccine, Dr. Smith said.
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He said the trial was going well, but news broke unfortunately a few days ago that it had been stopped because one of the recipients developed a case of transverse myelitis, which is an inflammatory condition of the spinal cord that causes sensory and motor deficits. .
“So we only know that there is one case of transverse myelitis, and for precautionary reasons, the trial has been temporarily suspended while it is investigated.”
But Dr. Smith said the condition is not only related to vaccination and can also occur by chance in some people.
“So it is possible for a person who received this vaccine to get transverse myelitis anyway, and the two are not related.
Alastair / AP Scholarship
Advanced-stage trials of a coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and drugmaker AstraZeneca were halted after a woman who received the experimental injection developed severe neurological symptoms.
“On the other hand, they could be due to the fact that vaccines elicit an immune response and in some people there may well be domino effects on the immune system and this can lead to unwanted effects and that is why research is needed.”
Dr. Smith said because the vaccine will potentially be given to millions of people.
“So it is very important to understand what the side effect profile is and therefore to make sure that this was actually a unique case, that it had nothing to do with the vaccine or if it has something to do with the vaccine. vaccine, try to understand why it happened. “
He said the trial is halted so as not to expose anyone to an unsafe situation.
“But this [a trial being paused] It is not the first time that it happens, it happens quite frequently and we should not be too disturbed, in fact we should be calm because if this kind of thing is being detected and monitored, it actually shows us that the right channels are being followed. proper processes, this is not rushed work. “
Dr. Smith said there are a number of factors that can help determine whether the transverse myelitis was caused by the vaccine.
For example, if the person was in the control group, if this person has a history of autoimmune diseases, and when the vaccine was given in terms of when the transverse myelitis occurred.
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission
