Challenges and Recent Advancements in COVID-19 Vaccines

Editorial Material Multidisciplinary Sciences

The next generation of coronavirus vaccines: a graphical guide

Ewen Callaway

Summary: New technologies may offer stronger or wider immunity, but they will face competition for market share.

NATURE (2023)

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Article Immunology

Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of GBP510/AS03 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 delta challenge in rhesus macaques

Catherine Jacob-Dolan et al.

Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the immune response and protective efficacy of the GBP510 protein subunit vaccine adjuvanted with AS03. They found that the vaccine induced robust immune responses in rhesus macaques and provided protection against a high-dose SARS-CoV-2 Delta challenge.

NPJ VACCINES (2023)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Association Between 3 Doses of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine and Symptomatic Infection Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta Variants

Emma K. Accorsi et al.

Summary: Assessing the performance of COVID-19 vaccines against the Omicron variant is crucial for public health guidance. This study found that receiving three doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was associated with a lower likelihood of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to being unvaccinated or receiving two doses. These findings suggest that three doses of mRNA vaccine provide protection against both Omicron and Delta variants, though the protection against Omicron may be slightly lower.

JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (2022)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Heterologous versus homologous COVID-19 booster vaccination in previous recipients of two doses of CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine in Brazil (RHH-001): a phase 4, non-inferiority, single blind, randomised study

Sue Ann Costa Clemens et al.

Summary: A study was conducted to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a third dose of heterologous or homologous vaccines in Brazilian adults who had previously received two doses of CoronaVac. The results showed that a third dose of heterologous vaccines (recombinant adenoviral vectored vaccine or mRNA vaccine) significantly increased immune responses and could improve protection against infection.

LANCET (2022)

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Article Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine effectiveness against Sars-Cov-2 infection: Findings from a large observational study in Israel

Yaki Saciuk et al.

Summary: This study provides evidence that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (BNT162b2) is effective in preventing infection, hospitalization, and mortality from Covid-19. The overall efficacy is high, but it is lower for older individuals and those with hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE (2022)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Immune correlates analysis of the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine efficacy clinical trial

Peter B. Gilbert et al.

Summary: In the COVE phase 3 clinical trial, neutralizing and binding antibodies were measured in vaccine recipients to determine their correlation with COVID-19 risk and vaccine efficacy. The results showed that these immune markers were inversely associated with COVID-19 risk and directly associated with vaccine efficacy. Postvaccination neutralization titers of 10, 100, and 1000 correlated with estimated vaccine efficacies of 78%, 91%, and 96% respectively.

SCIENCE (2022)

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Article Infectious Diseases

Safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, BBIBP-CorV, in people younger than 18 years: a randomised, double-blind, controlled, phase 1/2 trial

ShengLi Xia et al.

Summary: This study evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine BBIBP-CorV in participants aged 3-17 years. The results showed that BBIBP-CorV was safe and well tolerated at all tested dose levels and induced robust antibody responses. Phase 3 trials are recommended in the population younger than 18 years to further assess its safety and protection efficacy against COVID-19.

LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2022)

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Editorial Material Medicine, General & Internal

Efficiency decreases

Halane Vaillant-Roussel et al.

EXERCER-LA REVUE FRANCOPHONE DE MEDECINE GENERALE (2022)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Comparative analysis of the risks of hospitalisation and death associated with SARS-CoV-2 omicron (B.1.1.529) and delta (B.1.617.2) variants in England: a cohort study

Tommy Nyberg et al.

Summary: The Omicron variant shows lower severity compared to Delta, especially in terms of hospital admission and death, with significant variations by age. Unvaccinated cases experience a larger reduction in intrinsic severity, while vaccinated cases experience reduced vaccine effectiveness. Booster vaccination with mRNA vaccines provides over 70% protection against hospitalization and death in breakthrough Omicron infections.

LANCET (2022)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Evaluation of mRNA-1273 Covid-19 Vaccine in Children 6 to 11 Years of Age

C. Buddy Creech et al.

Summary: The study demonstrated that two 50-mu g doses of the mRNA-1273 vaccine are safe and effective in inducing immune responses and preventing Covid-19 in children aged 6 to 11 years, with noninferior responses compared to young adults.

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE (2022)

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Letter Ophthalmology

Multiple Evanescent White Dot Syndrome Following Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corporation COVID-19 Vaccination

Keng-Sheng Lin et al.

Summary: This case report describes a Taiwanese female who developed MEWDS after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, with symptoms resolving without treatment within four weeks. The immune-mediated basis may play a role in MEWDS in predisposed patients.

OCULAR IMMUNOLOGY AND INFLAMMATION (2022)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Boosting of serum neutralizing activity against the Omicron variant among recovered COVID-19 patients by BNT162b2 and CoronaVac vaccines

Lu Lu et al.

Summary: The study showed that in recovered COVID-19 patients, recipients of the BNT162b2 vaccine had significantly higher serum Omicron neutralizing antibody titers compared to non-vaccinated individuals. Additionally, receiving two doses of CoronaVac was more effective in inducing detectable serum Omicron antibodies than one dose.

EBIOMEDICINE (2022)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Sputnik-V vaccine-induced panniculitis as a local reactions

Zahra Sahraei et al.

Summary: A case of Sputnik-V vaccine-induced panniculitis is reported, in which the patient experienced erythema, induration, and local tenderness at the injection site. Ultrasound imaging showed subcutaneous inflammation compatible with panniculitis. The symptoms resolved after treatment with ibuprofen and warm compress.

CLINICAL CASE REPORTS (2022)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

A Case Report for Acute Myopericarditis After NVX-CoV2373 (Novavax®) COVID-19 Vaccination

Hyung Yoon Kim et al.

Summary: This study reports the first biopsy-proven case of myopericarditis after administration of the NVX-CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccine in Korea. The patient was successfully treated and recovered.

JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE (2022)

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Article Hematology

Thrombotic thrombocytopenia After Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV COVID-19 vaccination

Rezvan Hosseinzadeh et al.

Summary: This study reports a suspected case of VITT after vaccination with an inactivated vaccine. The patient developed severe thrombocytopenia and thrombosis symptoms after vaccination, and was diagnosed and treated through laboratory analysis and ultrasound examination.

RESEARCH AND PRACTICE IN THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS (2022)

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Review Medicine, General & Internal

Duration of effectiveness of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease: results of a systematic review and meta-regression

Daniel R. Feikin et al.

Summary: This study systematically reviewed the duration of protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines against various clinical outcomes. The findings indicate that the effectiveness or efficacy of the vaccines decreased from 1 to 6 months after full vaccination, but remained high against severe disease. Evaluating the effectiveness or efficacy of vaccines beyond 6 months is crucial for updating vaccine policies.

LANCET (2022)

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Article Immunology

SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals: measurement, causes and impact

Marc Lipsitch et al.

Summary: The study evaluates the impact of breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections in vaccinated individuals and discusses the challenges in measuring breakthrough infections and determining the factors affecting vaccine effectiveness. The research also addresses key questions on transitioning to endemicity, tracking viral variants, identifying immune correlates of protection, and dealing with public health challenges in countering breakthrough infections amid global vaccine shortages.

NATURE REVIEWS IMMUNOLOGY (2022)

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Article Infectious Diseases

Safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, BBIBP-CorV: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1/2 trial

Shengli Xia et al.

Summary: The inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, BBIBP-CorV, demonstrated safety and immunogenicity in two age groups. Humoral responses against SARS-CoV-2 were induced in all vaccine recipients by day 42. A two-dose immunisation with 4 mu g vaccine on days 0 and 21 or days 0 and 28 achieved higher neutralising antibody titres compared to other dosing schedules.

LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2021)

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Editorial Material Medicine, General & Internal

The Novavax vaccine had 90% efficacy against COVID-19 ≥7 d after the second dose

Henry S. Sacks

ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE (2021)

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Article Hematology

Insights in ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia

Andreas Greinacher et al.

Summary: The mechanism underlying vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) primarily involves the formation of PF4/vaccine complexes and the proinflammatory environment stimulated by the vaccine, leading to the production of high-titer anti-PF4 antibodies in the body and consequent thrombosis.

BLOOD (2021)

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Review Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

COVID-19: Virology, biology and novel laboratory diagnosis

Malihe Mohamadian et al.

Summary: The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global health crisis, with millions of cases and over a million deaths reported. Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 typically present with severe viral pneumonia and to date, there is no approved vaccine or preventive treatment available. The virus enters respiratory cells via the angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor 2, with structural proteins playing a crucial role in releasing virus particles from host cells.

JOURNAL OF GENE MEDICINE (2021)

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Editorial Material Medicine, General & Internal

Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine efficacy

Maria Deloria Knoll et al.

LANCET (2021)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Interim Results of a Phase 1-2a Trial of Ad26.COV2.S Covid-19 Vaccine

J. Sadoff et al.

Summary: The study conducted a multicenter, placebo-controlled, phase 1-2a trial, with participants randomly assigned to receive the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine. The results showed that the safety and immunogenicity profiles of the vaccine support further development.

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE (2021)

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Editorial Material Medicine, General & Internal

In adults, the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine had 70% efficacy against COVID-19 >14 d after the 2nd dose

Zain Chagla

ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE (2021)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Safety and efficacy of an rAd26 and rAd5 vector-based heterologous prime-boost COVID-19 vaccine: an interim analysis of a randomised controlled phase 3 trial in Russia

Denis Y. Logunov et al.

Summary: The Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine showed 91.6% efficacy against COVID-19 in the phase 3 trial, with good safety and tolerability in a large cohort of participants.

LANCET (2021)

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Editorial Material Medicine, General & Internal

Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine candidate appears safe and effective Comment

Ian Jones et al.

LANCET (2021)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Single-dose Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine followed by a 12-week booster

Ivan F N Hung et al.

LANCET (2021)

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Editorial Material Multidisciplinary Sciences

COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections

Ravindra K. Gupta et al.

SCIENCE (2021)

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Review Virology

COVID-19: A Review on the Novel Coronavirus Disease Evolution, Transmission, Detection, Control and Prevention

Anshika Sharma et al.

Summary: Coronaviruses, including the recent SARS-CoV-2, have caused major outbreaks since 2002, with the current COVID-19 pandemic infecting millions worldwide and posing a serious global health threat. The virus is constantly evolving and spreading through asymptomatic carriers, increasing the risk of transmission and highlighting the urgent need for effective control and prevention strategies.

VIRUSES-BASEL (2021)

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News Item Medicine, General & Internal

Covid-19: Novavax vaccine efficacy is 86% against UK variant and 60% against South African variant

Elisabeth Mahase

BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL (2021)

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Review Multidisciplinary Sciences

Comparing the clinical efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Victoria Rotshild et al.

Summary: New COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna showed the highest efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in adults. There was no significant difference in the prevention of symptomatic disease among the elderly population. mRNA-1273 and Gam-COVID-Vac vaccines were associated with a higher probability of protection against severe COVID-19 compared to other vaccines.

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2021)

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Article Critical Care Medicine

Safety and immunogenicity of CpG 1018 and aluminium hydroxide-adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 S-2P protein vaccine MVC-COV1901: interim results of a large-scale, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial in Taiwan

Szu-Min Hsieh et al.

Summary: The phase 2 clinical trial of the MVC-COV1901 vaccine in Taiwan showed promising results in terms of safety and immunogenicity, supporting further phase 3 efficacy trials.

LANCET RESPIRATORY MEDICINE (2021)

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Review Immunology

Efficacy, Immunogenicity and Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Nadim Sharif et al.

Summary: This study conducted a meta-analysis on the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, revealing that mRNA vaccines and adenovirus vector vaccines can provide moderate to high protection against COVID-19 in individuals aged 18 and above. However, evidence on the long-term protection of these vaccines in individuals under 16 years old against multiple variants of COVID-19 is limited.

FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY (2021)

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Article Immunology

Inflammation and Platelet Activation After COVID-19 Vaccines-Possible Mechanisms Behind Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis

Sisse R. Ostrowski et al.

Summary: The introduction of COVID-19 vaccines has provided hope for controlling the pandemic, but some vaccines may be associated with serious thrombotic events. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 VITT is not fully understood, with research suggesting that AZ vaccine may induce more pronounced inflammation, platelet activation, and thrombin generation compared to mRNA vaccines.

FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY (2021)

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Article Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Children Aged 5–11 Years — United States, November 3–December 19, 2021

Anne M. Hause et al.

MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT (2021)

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Article Allergy

Potential mechanisms of anaphylaxis to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines

Kimberly A. Risma et al.

Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid production of messenger RNA vaccines packaged in lipid nanoparticles, resulting in unexpectedly severe allergic reactions. Various factors have been considered as possible contributors to these reactions, including nucleic acid activation of the contact system and preexisting antibody recognition of polyethylene glycol on the nanoparticle surface. Further research and clinical trials are needed to address concerns and determine the applicability of testing methods in predicting and understanding vaccine-related allergic reactions.

JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY (2021)

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Article Immunology

Shedding the Light on Post-Vaccine Myocarditis and Pericarditis in COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients

Rima Hajjo et al.

Summary: Research shows that myocarditis and pericarditis are most commonly associated with COVID-19 vaccines, followed by non-COVID-19 vaccines; the frequency of cardiac adverse events is influenced by various factors; interferon-gamma plays a central role in the biological processes leading to cardiac adverse events.

VACCINES (2021)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccine Type and Adverse Effects Following Vaccination

Alexis L. Beatty et al.

Summary: This study found that factors associated with greater odds of adverse effects after COVID-19 vaccination included receiving full vaccination dose, vaccine brand, younger age, female sex, and having a prior COVID-19 infection. Serious vaccine adverse effects were rare in this real-world cohort.

JAMA NETWORK OPEN (2021)

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Article Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Furin cleavage sites in the spike proteins of bat and rodent coronaviruses: Implications for virus evolution and zoonotic transfer from rodent species

Alison E. Stout et al.

Summary: Bats are considered a major reservoir of coronaviruses, while rodents are also an important source for viral transmission. The role of the protease furin in activating viral entry is crucial for understanding the spread of coronaviruses.

ONE HEALTH (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Adjuvanting a subunit COVID-19 vaccine to induce protective immunity

Prabhu S. Arunachalam et al.

Summary: This study demonstrated the effectiveness of an adjuvanted RBD-NP vaccine in inducing robust and durable neutralizing antibody responses, providing protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection, and cross-neutralizing various variants. Adjuvants such as AS03 and AS37 significantly enhanced the immunogenicity of the vaccine and have the potential to be candidates for COVID-19 vaccines.

NATURE (2021)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Efficacy of NVX-CoV2373 Covid-19 Vaccine against the B.1.351 Variant

V. Shinde et al.

Summary: The NVX-CoV2373 vaccine showed efficacy in preventing Covid-19, with higher vaccine efficacy observed among HIV-negative participants. Most infections were caused by the B.1.351 variant.

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE (2021)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Safety and Efficacy of NVX-CoV2373 Covid-19 Vaccine

Paul T. Heath et al.

Summary: The NVX-CoV2373 vaccine demonstrated an efficacy of 89.7% in a phase 3 trial with over 15,000 participants, with mild and transient reactogenicity. It showed high efficacy against the B.1.1.7 variant and a low incidence of adverse events.

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE (2021)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Covid-19 Breakthrough Infections in Vaccinated Health Care Workers

Moriah Bergwerk et al.

Summary: Among fully vaccinated health care workers, breakthrough infections with SARS-CoV-2 were correlated with neutralizing antibody titers during the peri-infection period. Most breakthrough infections were mild or asymptomatic, although persistent symptoms did occur.

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Neutralizing activity of Sputnik V vaccine sera against SARS-CoV-2 variants

Satoshi Ikegame et al.

Summary: The authors characterize the neutralizing capacity of post-Sputnik V vaccination sera against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern B.1.1.7 (alpha) and B.1.351 (beta), showing the latter to exhibit resistance to neutralization in vitro.

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS (2021)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Effectiveness of the CoronaVac vaccine in older adults during a gamma variant associated epidemic of covid-19 in Brazil: test negative case-control study

Otavio Ranzani et al.

Summary: The study evaluates the effectiveness of the CoronaVac vaccine in the elderly population aged >= 70 years in Sao Paulo state, Brazil during widespread circulation of the gamma variant. The vaccine was found to significantly reduce the risk of symptomatic covid-19, hospital admissions, and deaths after completion of the two-dose regimen, but the effectiveness decreases with age among the elderly population.

BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL (2021)

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Article Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Adolescents Aged 12–17 Years — United States, December 14, 2020–July 16, 2021

Anne M. Hause et al.

MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT (2021)

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Article Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Use of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine After Reports of Myocarditis Among Vaccine Recipients: Update from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, June 2021

Julia W. Gargano et al.

MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT (2021)

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Review Immunology

Safety and Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccines: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Different Vaccines at Phase 3

Yu-Jing Fan et al.

Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, finding that mRNA vaccines were more associated with serious adverse events, while two doses of mRNA vaccines were most effective in reducing the risk of SARS-COV-2 infection. All vaccines were effective in reducing the risk of severe infection.

VACCINES (2021)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Assessment of Allergic and Anaphylactic Reactions to mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines With Confirmatory Testing in a US Regional Health System

Christopher Michael Warren et al.

Summary: This study analyzed 22 patients with suspected allergic reactions to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, indicating a potential non-IgE mediated immune response to PEG in most individuals. Women and those with a history of allergic reactions may have an elevated risk of mRNA vaccine allergy.

JAMA NETWORK OPEN (2021)

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Article Clinical Neurology

ACUTE TRANSVERSE MYELITIS AFTER INACTIVATED COVID-19 VACCINE

Nazan Simsek Erdem et al.

Summary: A 78-year-old woman presented with neurological symptoms after receiving the CoronaVac vaccine, with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis diagnosed. This may be associated with COVID-19 vaccination, highlighting the importance of monitoring for neurological symptoms post-vaccination.

IDEGGYOGYASZATI SZEMLE-CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE (2021)

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Article Infectious Diseases

Perimyocarditis in Adolescents After Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

Eric Tano et al.

Summary: Pericarditis occurred in adolescents within 4 days of receiving the BNT162b2 vaccine. Further research is needed to understand the impact of the vaccine on adolescent heart health.

JOURNAL OF THE PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES SOCIETY (2021)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Safety and immunogenicity of a Recombinant Stabilized Prefusion SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Vaccine (MVC-COV1901) Adjuvanted with CpG 1018 and Aluminum Hydroxide in healthy adults: A Phase 1, dose-escalation study

Szu-Min Hsieh et al.

Summary: The MVC-COV1901 vaccine was well tolerated and elicited robust immune responses, making it suitable for further development.

ECLINICALMEDICINE (2021)

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Article Cell Biology

Sputnik V vaccine elicits seroconversion and neutralizing capacity to SARS-CoV-2 after a single dose

Andres H. Rossi et al.

Summary: The study evaluated the antibody responses of healthcare workers in Argentina after receiving the Sputnik V vaccine, showing that previously infected individuals had higher levels of antibodies and virus-neutralizing capacity after receiving a single dose of the vaccine.

CELL REPORTS MEDICINE (2021)

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Editorial Material Critical Care Medicine