U.S. says Pfizer’s bivalent COVID-19 shot could also be linked to stroke in older adultsJanuary 13, 2023

U.S. drugmaker Pfizer Inc and German companion BioNTech’s up to date COVID-19 shot might be linked to a kind of mind stroke in older adults, in line with preliminary information analyzed by U.S. well being authorities.

Citing considered one of many vaccine security databases of the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), well being officers mentioned on Friday that folks 65 and older had been extra more likely to have an ischemic stroke 21 days after receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech bivalent shot, in contrast with days 22-44.

An ischemic stroke, also called mind ischemia, is brought on by blockages in arteries that carry blood to the mind.

The protection concern requires extra investigation and “it is vitally unlikely that it represents a real scientific danger”, the authorities mentioned.

Pfizer and BioNTech mentioned in a press release that they’ve been made conscious of restricted experiences of ischemic strokes in individuals 65 and older following vaccination with their up to date shot.

“Neither Pfizer and BioNTech nor the CDC or the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) have noticed comparable findings throughout quite a few different monitoring techniques within the U.S. and globally and there’s no proof to conclude that ischemic stroke is related to the usage of the businesses’ COVID-19 vaccines,” Pfizer added.

This security concern has not been recognized with Moderna’s bivalent shot and each the CDC and FDA proceed to advocate that everybody aged 6 months and older keep up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination.

Pfizer/BioNtech and Moderna’s bivalent photographs, which goal each the unique coronavirus and Omicron sub-variants, have been licensed to be used in kids 6 months and older.