Vaccine Adverse Events

Regeneron Antibody Cocktail Protects Against COVID-19

April 12, 2021

Regeneron published a news release this morning stating their REGEN-COV antibody drug demonstrated high levels of protection against COVID-19 in a Phase 3 clinical trial. Those eligible to enroll in the study were not infected with COVID-19, did not show symptoms, did not have SARS-Cov-2 antibodies, and were living with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 within four days of enrolling. Of 1,505 volunteers, the antibody drug demonstrated 72% protection against symptomatic infection in the first week, and 93% in weeks thereafter. Those who received the antibody drug were also 81% less likely to get sick with COVID compared to those who received the placebo. On average, those experiencing symptoms “resolved their symptoms in 1 week, compared to 3 weeks with placebo. Infected individuals also cleared the virus faster with REGEN-COV.”

The VAXICOV Study, Autoimmune Disease and Vaccination Concerns

February 25, 2021

The results of the international VAccinations against COVid-19 (VAXICOV) study were published this week, revealing patient concerns and expectations around receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Patients with systemic autoimmune or inflammatory rheumatic diseases were asked to participate in the online survey across 56 countries. Health care workers were also included as a control group. The most commonly documented autoimmune conditions were systemic lupus erythematosus, spondyloarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The median score for patients who reported “being afraid to get infected” with COVID-19 was 8, and afraid to “develop severe COVID-19” was 9. That being said, only 54.2% of patients with systemic autoimmune or rheumatic disease were willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to seeing their specialist. 32.2% of patients were uncertain and 13% stated they were unwilling.

COVID-19, Autoantibodies, and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

February 23, 2021

Throughout the pandemic, cases have been reported of children experiencing a hyper-inflammatory response after a COVID-19 infection. What was first described as a cluster of intense symptoms, has since come to be known as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).

The Johnson & Johnson COVID Vaccine + Autoimmune Disease

February 16, 2021

In early February 2021, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson requested emergency authorization by the FDA to distribute their COVID-19 vaccine. Come the end of the month, the FDA will be reviewing their request; if approved, the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine could be rolled out across the U.S. as early as the end of March.