Covid-19 vaccine trial participant had serious neurological symptoms, but could be discharged today,

[JacksinPA]

AstraZeneca CEO says participant had neurological symptoms, could be discharged today

The participant who triggered a global shutdown of AstraZeneca’s Phase 3 Covid-19 vaccine trials was a woman in the United Kingdom who experienced neurological symptoms consistent with a rare but serious spinal inflammatory disorder called transverse myelitis, the drug maker’s chief executive, Pascal Soriot, said during a private conference call with investors on Wednesday morning.

The woman’s diagnosis has not been confirmed yet, but she is improving and will likely be discharged from the hospital as early as Wednesday, Soriot said.

The board tasked with overseeing the data and safety components of the AstraZeneca clinical trials confirmed that the participant was injected with the company’s Covid-19 vaccine and not a placebo, Soriot said on the conference call, which was set up by the investment bank J.P. Morgan.

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Coincidence or lurking threat?

 

[JacksinPA]

Transverse myelitis - The Mayo Clinic\\

Transverse myelitis is an inflammation of both sides of one section of the spinal cord. This neurological disorder often damages the insulating material covering nerve cell fibers (myelin).

Transverse myelitis interrupts the messages that the spinal cord nerves send throughout the body. This can cause pain, muscle weakness, paralysis, sensory problems, or bladder and bowel dysfunction.

There are many different causes of transverse myelitis, including infections and immune system disorders that attack the body's tissues. It could also be caused by other myelin disorders, such as multiple sclerosis. Other conditions, such as a stroke of the spinal cord, are often confused with transverse myelitis, and these conditions require different treatment approaches.

Treatment for transverse myelitis includes medications and rehabilitative therapy. Most people with transverse myelitis recover at least partially. Those with severe attacks sometimes are left with major disabilities.

I would assume that vaccine & placebo recipients sign releases that hold Astra-Zeneca harmless in cases like this.

 

[nota bene]

From Rueters:

Charlie Weller, Head of Vaccines Programme at Wellcome:

“Safety is the most important consideration when developing any vaccine, and it is right for the trial to be paused while an investigation takes place.

This is often a normal part of the process in vaccine trials, which involve tens of thousands of people. It’s critical to quickly understand whether the illness has any relationship to the vaccine or the placebo and to share data openly, as Oxford University and AstraZeneca have done.

“Vaccines are among the most rigorously tested and monitored products we have in society, and the COVID-19 vaccines should be no different.”

Factbox: Scientists, drugmakers and traders react to AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine trial pause - Reuters