By Naveen Athrappully
A multinational study of over 99 million vaccinated people has identified higher incidences of neurological, cardiovascular, and blood disorder complications than what the researchers expected.
The peer-reviewed observational cohort study, published in the Vaccine journal on Feb. 12, aimed to evaluate the risk of 13 adverse events of special interest (AESI) following COVID-19 vaccination. The AESIs spanned three categories—neurological, hematologic (blood), and cardiovascular.
It reviewed data collected from more than 99 million vaccinated people from eight nations—Argentina, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, New Zealand, and Scotland—looking at risks up to 42 days after getting the shots.
The study looked at three vaccines—Pfizer and Moderna’s mRNA vaccines as well as AstraZeneca’s viral vector jab.
Researchers found higher than expected cases that they deemed met the threshold to be potential safety signals for multiple AESIs, including for Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), myocarditis, and pericarditis. A safety signal refers to information that could suggest a potential risk or harm that may be associated with a medical product.
- GBS is a disorder in which a body’s immune system attacks the nerves, and can eventually paralyze the whole body. Most people with the condition require hospitalization. A “statistically significant increase” in GBS cases was observed after the first AstraZeneca shot. The researchers had expected 76 GBS events in the observational cohort study but ended up identifying 190.
- Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a condition that typically occurs after a bacterial or viral infection. It causes inflammation of the central nervous system. Two cases were expected. However, the study identified seven events after the first Moderna jab.
- Bell’s palsy is a weakness or paralysis of facial muscles. Higher than expected Bell’s palsy cases were identified after the first dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
- CVST is a condition in which blood clots form in the brain, blocking the blood from draining out. This can end up causing a hemorrhage. While 21 events were expected, researchers identified over three times the number of cases at 69 following the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine. CVST cases were also higher than expected after the first and second Pfizer shots.
- Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. Higher than expected cases of myocarditis that met the threshold for “prioritized safety signals” for the condition were “consistently identified following a first, second, and third dose of mRNA vaccines,” both Pfizer and Moderna, according to the study.
- Pericarditis is an inflammation of the outer lining of the heart. The number of pericarditis cases exceeded expectations following “all doses of all the three vaccines,” researchers wrote.
Commentary From Researchers
The higher risk of GBS from vector-based vaccines like AstraZeneca has been identified in other studies as well, the researchers pointed out. Interestingly, studies on mRNA vaccines “have not observed increases of GBS,” they noted.
The researchers said that multiple other studies have also identified “increased incidence of CVST after vaccination,” which has led to the withdrawal of AstraZeneca vaccine from COVID-19 vaccine programs in several nations. Some countries have imposed age-based restrictions for the shot, they added.
Regarding myocarditis and pericarditis, researchers noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidance on the conditions. A 2021 guidance from the WHO stated at the time that more countries were “reporting myocarditis and pericarditis in individuals who received COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.”
The Feb. 12 study noted that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is monitoring and reviewing data on myocarditis and pericarditis among COVID-19 vaccinated individuals.
The study was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Public Health Ontario, ICES which is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health, as well as a Clinician-Scientist Award from the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine. Researchers declared several potential competing interests.
The Epoch Times reached out to Moderna, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca for comment regarding the study.
Recent Studies Imply Vaccine Dangers
Numerous studies have shown that COVID-19 vaccines come with a risk of multiple medical complications. A recent Feb. 15 study conducted in Nordic nations concluded that booster vaccination against COVID-19 is linked to a higher risk of heart inflammation among adolescents.
The study noted that the association of myocarditis with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines has appeared “strongest in male adolescents and younger males and after the second dose.”
A separate Jan. 27 study points out that a “considerable body of evidence” suggests a correlation and even a causation between mRNA boosters and adverse effects on the immune system.
“Given the decreased severity of the virus … there are legitimate concerns about the frequent administration of boosters in immunocompromised patients, raising questions about whether this practice may be causing more harm than benefit,” it said.
A study accepted into the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology on Jan. 24 (pdf) investigated placenta samples from two pregnant women who had received Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Researchers concluded that “vaccine mRNA is not localized to the injection site and can spread systemically to the placenta and umbilical cord blood.”
Commenting on the study, cardiologist Peter McCullough said that the observations “have confirmed one of our worst fears, that is, poorly advised vaccination during pregnancy allows circulating mRNA and local production of Spike protein in the placenta potentially threatening the gestation and delivery.”
“But worse, mRNA is passed on to the baby with unknown effects on organogenesis, tissue damage, blood clotting, and a host of other adverse processes within the newborn’s body.”
A peer-reviewed article from last month which analyzed reports from the initial phase 3 trials of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines concluded that the shots killed more people than they saved.
Based on “conservative assumptions,“ the estimated harms of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines ”greatly outweigh the rewards,“ the article stated, noting that ”for every life saved, there were nearly 14 times more deaths caused by the modified mRNA injections.”
Lately, evidence has been mounting suggesting the “shedding” of COVID-19 vaccine proteins. The controversial subject was largely discounted by scientists but now some doctors say that authorities are well aware of the phenomenon.
