Coronavirus thread

[Mandryka]

Strange there hasn't been much discussion of the Pfizer vaccine and blood clots.

https://www.businesstelegraph.co.uk/coronavirus-pfizers-covid-vaccine-is-linked-to-more-blood-clots-than-astrazenecas-in-the-uk/

No mention of disseminated intravascular coagulation, that's why.

[Stürmisch Bewegt]

On a personal note, I've just scheduled a vaccine appointment for a week from today.

Good job, er jab! 

[Harry]

Research leader Andreas Greinacher, head research.

Researchers at the University of Greifswald in Germany have most likely found a solution for patients who develop the extremely rare combination of thrombosis and a sudden shortage of platelets (thrombocytopenia) after vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
It seems that patients who show these concomitant symptoms after the injection should be treated with other anticoagulants than the commonly used heparin, the Germans have discovered.
A Norwegian research group from the university hospital in Oslo came to a similar conclusion independently of the German researchers.

Heparin can cause HIT, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. When a patient develops HIT, the heparin causes an overreaction of the immune system, causing the platelets to be used at a rapid rate and a deficiency. In addition, the platelets also cause blood clots in the brain.

None of the seven German patients who developed the rare combination of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia had received heparin. In their case, the disease process may have been triggered by vaccination.
"If you come across a patient with that ultra, ultra rare complication," says thrombosis expert and head of internal medicine at Radboudumc Saskia Middeldorp, "you should immediately give an anticoagulant other than heparin and take a HIT test."
Middeldorp is very enthusiastic about the discovery of her German colleague Andreas Greinacher and his team from the medical faculty at the University of Greifswald, in the far north of Germany near the Polish border.
"This is a discovery that can have enormous consequences, we now know what to do if this particular complication occurs in a patient. And we can allay the fear that has arisen from the reports of the occurrence of this complication. We have been emailing coagulation specialists internationally all afternoon about the implications of these findings. Everyone is very enthusiastic. "
Middeldorp emphasizes that the advice to resume vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine will not change. "The benefits really far outweigh the drawbacks. This possible side effect is really very rare."

[Todd]

U.S. to share 4 million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine with Mexico, Canada

Whoever came up with this policy choice deserves kudos.

[prémont]

On a personal note, I've just scheduled a vaccine appointment for a week from today.

Good to hear. 

[DavidW]

On a personal note, I've just scheduled a vaccine appointment for a week from today.

Awesome!

[Karl Henning]

Awesome!

I'm pumped! And I don't have to go to either Gillette Stadium or Fenway Park!

[Mandryka]

Research leader Andreas Greinacher, head research.

Researchers at the University of Greifswald in Germany have most likely found a solution for patients who develop the extremely rare combination of thrombosis and a sudden shortage of platelets (thrombocytopenia) after vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
It seems that patients who show these concomitant symptoms after the injection should be treated with other anticoagulants than the commonly used heparin, the Germans have discovered.
A Norwegian research group from the university hospital in Oslo came to a similar conclusion independently of the German researchers.

Heparin can cause HIT, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. When a patient develops HIT, the heparin causes an overreaction of the immune system, causing the platelets to be used at a rapid rate and a deficiency. In addition, the platelets also cause blood clots in the brain.

None of the seven German patients who developed the rare combination of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia had received heparin. In their case, the disease process may have been triggered by vaccination.
"If you come across a patient with that ultra, ultra rare complication," says thrombosis expert and head of internal medicine at Radboudumc Saskia Middeldorp, "you should immediately give an anticoagulant other than heparin and take a HIT test."
Middeldorp is very enthusiastic about the discovery of her German colleague Andreas Greinacher and his team from the medical faculty at the University of Greifswald, in the far north of Germany near the Polish border.
"This is a discovery that can have enormous consequences, we now know what to do if this particular complication occurs in a patient. And we can allay the fear that has arisen from the reports of the occurrence of this complication. We have been emailing coagulation specialists internationally all afternoon about the implications of these findings. Everyone is very enthusiastic. "
Middeldorp emphasizes that the advice to resume vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine will not change. "The benefits really far outweigh the drawbacks. This possible side effect is really very rare."

Thanks Harry

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Good news Karl!  Happy to hear that.

I just ran across this article:  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56436927

It's about a Covid outbreak at Trump's Florida residence....and upcoming events scheduled there.

PD

[prémont]

Researchers at the University of Greifswald in Germany have most likely found a solution for patients who develop the extremely rare combination of thrombosis and a sudden shortage of platelets (thrombocytopenia) after vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

It seems that patients who show these concomitant symptoms after the injection should be treated with other anticoagulants than the commonly used heparin, the Germans have discovered.

If it is true, what the German researchers believe, that the DIC reaction after A-Z vaccine is initiated due to massive pathological clotting of platelets, heparin would also be the wrong anticoagulant to give as it only acts on the humoral coagulation factors. And the detected thrombocytopenia in this form of DIC is probably due to increased consumption of these, and it even looks like heparin may aggravate the condition.

[Harry]

If it is true, what the German researchers believe, that the DIC reaction after A-Z vaccine is initiated due to massive pathological clotting of platelets, heparin would also be the wrong anticoagulant to give as it only acts on the humoral coagulation factors. And the detected thrombocytopenia in this form of DIC is probably due to increased consumption of these, and it even looks like heparin may aggravate the condition.

Well they ruled out Heparin, for it indeed aggravates the situation.


It seems that patients who show these concomitant symptoms after the injection should be treated with other anticoagulants than the commonly used heparin, the Germans have discovered.

[Karl Henning]

Good news Karl!  Happy to hear that.

Thanks, PD!

[prémont]

Interesting. According to the Berlingske newspaper, Danish professor Niels Høiby suggesting that the few cases of serious AZ problems may simply come from a failed technique during vaccination, resulting in the vaccine getting immediately into the blood, which it shouldn't - it's meant to go deep into the muscles, and the procedure should test the chosen spot, before the actual shot.

I read, that "Statens Seruminstitut" has changed their guidelines in the way that aspiration now is recommended before injection of vaccine.

[MusicTurner]

More opening up here in DK was announced today, but only slow and careful indeed. Restaurants will be allowed outdoor serving, and museums etc will open again, but only with the help of a 'Corona Pass' app, and only from April 21st, so in about a whole month from now ...

Statistics still good, though the R-number announced today was 1.1 - that is, a very slight increase. In neighbouring countries, there's a rise in infections, with close-downs.

[Que]

[Harry]

Quite Shocking to see the EU on 12.9 and the UK on 44.7 I wonder what would be the reason for this, dare I ask?

[71 dB]

A few days and Karl Henning gets his shot. Good stuff!  0:)

Quite Shocking to see the EU on 12.9 and the UK on 44.7 I wonder what would be the reason for this, dare I ask?

The EU "bungled" this. Israel was willing to give the patient records to medical companies in exchange of sped-up vaccine deliveries. Some countries such as Chile pay extra for the vaccines. The EU gets TONS of vaccines. The problem is there are TONS of countries and people to vaccinate. Trump had operation Warpspeed, which not only allocated money into vaccine development (excluding Pfizer), but also into vaccine distribution and it shows. The problem in the US is after smart Americans have been vaccinated, the rest don't want microships injected into them... 

Even if the EU look miserable compared to UK and US, we Europeans are privileged compared to many other parts in the World. Hardly anyone has been vaccinated in Africa for example. Looks like in Egypt only the elite has got their shots for example. EU's number is over double of that of the whole World and this is a global pandemic. We need group immunity EVERYWHERE. Anti-vaxxers alone make that a challenge.

[DavidW]

Quite Shocking to see the EU on 12.9 and the UK on 44.7 I wonder what would be the reason for this, dare I ask?

I've read that it was due to being slow to acquire contracts and also significant supply disruptions.  And what it was not... it was not brexit.

[Irons]

I've read that it was due to being slow to acquire contracts and also significant supply disruptions.  And what it was not... it was not brexit.

Lets forget Brexit. Read an article in the current Sunday Times which did offer a new slant on the European take-up of the vaccine. Apparently natural medicine is a much bigger presence in France and Germany then the UK. Up to 50% of the population would refuse the vaccine against 20% in the UK. I do not know how true this is so don't shoot the messenger. But if true then a big worry.

[DavidW]

A huge chunk of the US population would also refuse the vaccine.  I guess you're in the enlightened nation.  Bye bye herd immunity, guess we'll never get there.