The Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP) at the University of Minnesota has released a comprehensive review of the safety and efficacy of US influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 vaccines. The report, which focused on pregnant women, children, and those with weakened immune systems, found no notable safety issues with these immunizations.
According to CIDRAP Director Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH, the data review did not identify any new safety signals related to myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination or a sudden drop in effectiveness. However, it did uncover a potential risk of preterm birth linked to the RSV vaccine for pregnant women and found that influenza vaccination in pregnancy can reduce medically attended infections.
The review also found that autism was not raised as a significant adverse event in nearly 600 papers reviewed. The study’s authors screened over 16,000 abstracts and extracted data from nearly 600 papers, including 50 randomized controlled trials.
The findings are consistent with the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which published its independent evidence-based immunization schedule for children and adolescents, including a recommendation that all children aged 6 to 23 months be vaccinated against COVID-19. The AAP also urged insurance companies to pay for the vaccines.
Experts say the changes made by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are not supported by evidence, particularly the decision to remove the CDC’s recommendation to vaccinate healthy children and pregnant women against COVID-19. HHS has also terminated contracts with mRNA vaccine developers and removed the mercury-based preservative thimerosal from flu vaccines despite its safe use since the 1930s.
The Vaccine Integrity Project will continue sharing more information with the medical and public health community and the public, posting the webinar data on their website for future reference.
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/vaccine-integrity-project-presents-reassuring-data-vaccines-upcoming-respiratory-virus