Final clinical trials for a coronavirus vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, have been put on hold after a participant had a suspected adverse reaction in the UK[1]
AstraZeneca has announced that their joint study with Oxford University has been ‘paused’ due to a suspected adverse effect which has led to the hospitalisation in one of their patients in the study.
They describe this as ‘routine’, however exactly what this adverse reaction is and the severity of the reaction is unknown.
We do know the patient has been admitted to hospital and we do know this isn’t the first time during the trial a patient has had to be admitted to hospital.
The study will be restarted once the medical regulator gives the go ahead, but for not the trials have been placed on hold.
A final decision on restarting the trial will be taken by the medical regulator the MHRA, which could take only days. But until then all international vaccination sites, in the UK, Brazil, South Africa and the USA are on hold. – BBC NEWS[1]
Both the manufacturers and the media are of course playing down this latest development, but when you consider the relatively small study groups being used in these trials and already the fact that two people have been hospitalised, we really have to question, just how safe is this vaccine?
As soon as we find out more about the exact condition of the patient involved we will let you know.
Please leave your comments below and let us know what you think about this latest development.
I read somewhere it was Transverse Myelitis, an “auto immune ” response resulting in paralysis of the lower body. Most cases do not fully recover and need long term physiotherapist to learn to walk again. I have nursed such cases in the past.
As these trials are funded by the people, their outcomes should be made public. I want to know what the mystery illness is…. It can’t be a minor issue if the person is in hospital… None of the minor side effects needed hospital admission, just clinic overview.
This is exactly why trials need time.
I totally agree. It will be interesting to see exactly what this mysterious adverse effect is. Thank you for your comment.