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| - Last Updated on April 24, 2024 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
In a widely circulated Facebook post, researchers from GVDN emphasised that, in their study, the predicted harms to brain linked with mRNA vaccinations far exceed the benefits of prevention. Our Fact-checking determined that the claim is only half true.
The Claim
A viral Facebook post from Liberty Counsel claims that researchers from the Global Vaccine Data Network have conducted an international study. The report further notes that investigations carried out on over 99 million recipients of the COVID-19 vaccine have found a greater-than-expected number of cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, a neurological blood clot issue. As to the post, there is a threefold increase in neurological problems among individuals who have had vaccinations.
As per the post’s conclusion, for every life saved, the modified mRNA shots caused nearly 14 more deaths, suggesting that the expected hazards of the vaccinations well outweigh the benefits.
We have come across several claims regarding COVID-19 vaccinations on social media. These include the ones that link them to autoimmune diseases, the ones that say vaccinations cause SIDS, and even sterilise people. We have carefully verified the veracity of these claims through fact-checking.
Fact Check
Does the claimant hold any credibility for analysing a scientific study?
No, not exactly. It is important to note that Liberty Counsel shared the post.
Liberty Counsel is a law firm and non-profit organisation with offices in Florida and Washington, DC, that specialises in policy, education, and litigation. The organisation was founded on promoting conservative Christian principles and ideas. Liberty Counsel has garnered notoriety for engaging in high-profile court disputes with the objective of upholding traditional values.
To the best of our knowledge, though, precise interpretation of any scientific work requires a scientific background and a particular set of skills. Experienced scientific researchers, academicians, lecturers, scholars, practitioners, and scientific students are among the qualified individuals.
Please be advised that only individuals with the requisite knowledge should fully understand, examine, and evaluate the study’s methodology, findings, and conclusions.
What is the Global Vaccine Development Network?
The Global Vaccine Developmental Network (GVDN) is a multinational collaborative initiative led by investigators with a global focus on vaccine development, safety, efficacy, and distribution.
The GVDN website is part of the Vaccine Safety Net (VSN) initiative, which is overseen by WHO. An organisation of research institutions ready to conduct meticulously planned global epidemiological studies is called the GVDN.
The network aims to facilitate collaborative research by leveraging health data from varied populations across different countries globally. Furthermore, with the support of organisations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the GVDN has increased its clinical development activities both domestically and internationally. Therefore, because of worldwide cooperation, it is now possible to have a large population to conduct in-depth examinations of rare occurrences that occur after vaccinations.
Furthermore, the network’s endeavours complement international plans like the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP), which significantly improves vaccine efficacy and accessibility and is a key factor in determining the direction of future international vaccination initiatives.
Has the GVDN study suggested that mRNA vaccines aren’t brain-safe?
The study titled “COVID-19 Vaccines and Adverse Events of Special Interest” is addressed in the claim. This is a global cohort study that the Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN) is conducting with 99 million vaccine recipients, published in the Journal Vaccine in its 42nd volume in the year 2024.
Objective of the Study:
The Global Vaccine Data NetworkTM (GVDN®) launched the Global COVID Vaccine Safety (GCoVS) Project in 2021. This study aimed to evaluate the potential for adverse events of special interest, or AESi, following the COVID-19 vaccination. This is a large-scale cohort vaccine safety evaluation involving 99 million individuals across eight nations, covering a diverse demographic including individuals of different age groups, genders, and health conditions.
Data Compilation:
The GCoVS Project gathered electronic health data on AESI brought on by COVID-19 vaccines. The participants are from eight different nations and are part of the GVDN network. Participants in the study include those who received vaccinations in Argentina, Denmark, Finland, France, British Columbia, Ontario, South Wales, Victoria, and New Zealand.
Methodology:
Data was collected using health records and compared with expected background rates of adverse events. The data received was subjected to statistical analysis to assess the significance of the observed adverse events.
Observations of the Study:
The study assessed thirteen neurological, blood, and heart-related issues and compared the reported rates of adverse events following vaccination with the expected background rates. The results highlighted the need for continued surveillance and monitoring by revealing several rare side effects of the vaccination.
The research included the following conditions:
- Brain-related conditions include facial palsy, transverse myelitis, convulsions (including generalised seizures and febrile seizures), and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
- Blood-related conditions include cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, splanchnic vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. The two unique site thromboses—SVT and CVST—were chosen as potential indicators of TTS. Due to their correlation with TTS, reports of ITP, thrombocytopenia, and immune thrombocytopenia were also included.
- Cardiac conditions include both pericarditis and myocarditis.
This thorough analysis provides crucial global vaccine safety information. It highlights how vital extensive post-marketing surveillance is to identify any adverse events that might have gone undetected during clinical trials. Nonetheless, the dependence on the electronic health care data is this study’s limitation.
Even if the study enhances our knowledge of the safety of the COVID-19 vaccination, it is critical to consider the results from a broader perspective. The majority of those who received vaccinations reported no side effects, confirming the COVID-19 vaccines’ general safety and effectiveness.
However, to optimise vaccination safety and public health results, medical practitioners and government organisations must always be alert to new knowledge and move quickly to act on it.
Are there any neurological risks associated with mRNA Vaccines?
Extensive research has been conducted on the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in real-world settings. Despite being considered safe, there have been some neurological risks associated with vaccine administration.
Most neurological adverse reactions associated with the COVID-19 vaccine are mild, transient, and self-limiting. Although rare, severe and unanticipated side effects from vaccinations are possible.
The most serious and common outcomes are cerebral vascular disorders, which include cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, transient ischemic attack, intracerebral haemorrhage, ischemic stroke, meningitis, myelitis, encephalitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, facial palsy, and demyelinating disorders, which include transverse myelitis, early multiple sclerosis manifestation, and neuromyelitis optica.
Several studies have looked into the domain of vaccine safety and assessed the neurological side effects of COVID-19 injections. It should be stated unequivocally that all vaccines, regardless of how they work, have side effects. Of them, Moderna and Pfizer are the only two that are mRNA vaccines; Astrazeneca and Johnson & Johnson are both viral vector vaccines.
According to the literature on vaccine safety, the following are the main neurological side effects:
- Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, which is more common with AstraZeneca
- AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer are all related to the incidence of transverse myelitis.
- Bell’s palsy is associated with Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer.
- Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome is a rare occurrence linked to AstraZeneca.
- There is a higher association between Guillain-Barré syndrome, or GBS, and Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson.
- Pfizer is more frequently associated with the onset of MS symptoms.
It is crucial to highlight, that vaccinations have more advantages than disadvantages due to the rarity of these neurological risks. This is because the COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be extremely important in halting the disease’s transmission and preventing its development. Based on the available data, there have been multiple reports of neurological symptoms that have followed vaccination. They don’t, however, indicate a widespread risk associated with mRNA vaccinations.
How are the neurological risks associated with COVID-19 vaccinations being monitored?
Please be mindful that health organisations throughout the world have made it a top priority to monitor the COVID-19 vaccinations for neurological risks. Consequently, several steps have been taken to ensure the safety of the vaccination.
The World Health Organisation keeps an eye on COVID-19 vaccination safety. All stages of the vaccine development process involve the collection of safety data, which is an essential component of every regulatory application.
These assessments are expert-driven, comprehensive evaluations that utilise the resources of numerous international healthcare databases that record and examine different issues and provide insight into the frequency and severity of neurological complications.
Several observational studies have been conducted to look for any patterns or relationships between vaccines and neurological consequences. These kinds of studies are being carried out in collaboration with clinicians. This collaborative approach facilitates the prompt identification and management of potential risks associated with vaccines.
These measures guarantee the upkeep of a strong surveillance system that constantly assesses the side effects caused by COVID-19 vaccinations. Additionally, these measures guarantee that the advantages of vaccinations continue to outweigh any possible hazards to public health.
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