Covid19mathblog.com
It is only appropriate and fair and balance to look at the responses to Dr. Malone given the amount view/listened. Here is the factcheck response to Dr. Malone concern of giving the youth the vaccine. There is quite a bit of semantics in the response – note PUBLISHED DEC 23 2021 – https://factcheck.afp.com/http%253A%252F%252Fdoc.afp.com%252F9V36YN-1?s=09
“In the video, Malone identifies spike proteins as dangerous and the source of the purported organ problems. "A viral gene will be injected… This gene forces your child’s body to make toxic spike proteins. These proteins often cause permanent damage in children’s critical organs," he said.
"That’s false," said Paul Offit, infectious disease physician and director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
"There’s no evidence, either in experimental animals or people," he said.”
Dr Paul Offit is certainly esteemed and worthy of a listen and deserves to have his perspective heard to society – https://perma.cc/3WB3-29LE
“Paul A. Offit, MD, is Director of the Vaccine Education Center and professor of pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He is the Maurice R. Hilleman Professor of Vaccinology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Offit is an internationally recognized expert in the fields of virology and immunology, and was a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He is a member of the Food and Drug Administration Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, and a founding advisory board member of the Autism Science Foundation and the Foundation for Vaccine Research, a member of the Institute of Medicine and co-editor of the foremost vaccine text, Vaccines.”
Note he does have some conflict of interest given attached to FDA – not that should exclude him from his opinion mattering but a doctor with just as much accolade not tied to past or current govt decisions perhaps is more neutral on new evidence.
“American Academy of Pediatrics fellow Deborah Greenhouse agreed. "There is absolutely no evidence that the spike proteins generated in response to the Covid-19 vaccine are toxic," she said.
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines work by introducing a "blueprint" of the coronavirus spike protein, part of the virus that the body can then recognize and fight if it encounters it later, without ever exposing it to the actual virus.
The Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 shots are the first to use the cutting-edge technology. They differ from traditional vaccines, which confront the immune system with part of a virus in a weakened or deactivated form to build antibodies.
Greenhouse explained: "The spike protein is a useful target for the vaccine because it is different than other proteins that humans can produce. So our immune system is able to recognize it as foreign and mount an immune response against it. There is also no evidence that the spike protein remains in the body longer than other typical proteins and no evidence that it causes significant damage."”
Dr. Greenhouse is less esteemed but certainly qualified to talk about children related health issues giving she is a practicing primary care pediatrician. Not sure on her expertise on virology and stating the above to say the spik protein are not toxic – https://perma.cc/AF3M-X9H9
“ Deborah M. Greenhouse, MD, is a primary care pediatrician at Palmetto Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic in Columbia, South Carolina. A native of Rockaway, New Jersey, she completed her undergraduate degree at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, and received her medical degree from Emory University in Atlanta. She completed her pediatrics residency at Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Columbia and joined Palmetto Pediatrics in 1992.”
“AFP Fact Check debunked another claim that spike proteins are dangerous in May 2021, when experts said that the spike proteins in Covid-19 vaccines are safe because they only remain in a person’s arm muscle for a short period.
"There is no evidence to support that spike proteins produced by the Covid-19 mRNA vaccines are toxic in any way," said Alexandra Yonts, a pediatric infectious diseases physician at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC.
Millions of people across the world have now been vaccinated with mRNA Covid-19 vaccines, and rigorous safety follow-up and data collection "don’t show any evidence of toxicity on a gross scale," she said.”
“"There is absolutely no evidence that the spike proteins can cause permanent damage to children’s vital organs," Greenhouse said.
“"Myocarditis is clearly a consequence of the mRNA vaccine. It’s rare, but it’s real," Offit said. But the condition is "short-lived, transient and self-resolving."
Both Offit and Yonts pointed out that data shows the rare cases of myocarditis are not a direct consequence of the spike proteins themselves, as Malone says.
Scientists are still learning about these myocarditis cases, but they are more likely connected to the body’s innate immune response, not the specific Covid-19 shot spike proteins, said Yonts.
She added that data shows Covid-19 infection could potentially cause the issues listed by Malone, but not the mRNA vaccines.”
Dr. Yonts is a specialist in infectious disease but once again note the connection to the FDA – https://perma.cc/2PVP-WAAP
“Alexandra Brugler Yonts, M.D., (she/her), is an attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children’s National and is an assistant professor of Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. Yonts completed her pediatric residency and was a chief resident at the University of California, Davis and completed her pediatric infectious diseases fellowship here in D.C. as part of the combined Children’s National/US Food and Drug Administration program. She received her medical degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine.”
So what is the definition of something toxic – something that can potentially cause harm at certain levels? – IF the spike protein was not harmful – then WHY would this study published on April 30th 2021 – they are noting the concerns of the spike protein and even concluding to modify the vaccine in order to reduce ACE2 interference. Could the vaccine spike protein ACE2 interference be harmful? –
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC8084611/
“In this context, viral vector vaccines might trigger a further enhancement of the immune reactions against Spike proteins by engaging a stronger innate responses also mediated by cytokines, chemokines and immune cells [21]. Such immune reaction appears to mimic an active COVID-19 disease. Previous studies dating back to MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-1 infection showed that vaccines based on the full-length Spike protein of SARS-CoV may induce a strong immune inflammatory responses at various levels including the lung and the liver”
“When applying the results of clinical trials to the real life, we cannot exclude the possibility that the vaccination of a growing number of subjects from different Countries with preexisting immunity to SARS-Cov-2 may trigger unexpectedly intense, albeit very rare, inflammatory and thrombotic reactions in previously immunized and predisposed individuals.”
“In this context, protein engineering approaches to identify binders to viral entry proteins may offer an alternative therapeutic strategy to ameliorate the potential detrimental effects of the interaction between ACE2 and Spike proteins. It has been suggested that the use of vaccines with DNA templates or mRNA encoding mutated Spike proteins with conformational change (from pre-fusion conformation to post-fusion conformation after interactions with ACE2, or change in RBD) might partly lose adherence to ACE2 receptors”
As noted by Dr. Malone it’s the job of the pharma to prove it is safe not for people to prove that it can do harm. If they have not ameliorated the concern of the ACE2 interference there is certainly a potential to cause harm which at some definition one could call toxic. Perhaps in the long run we will see that it is not an issue – but certainly the near term issues of myocarditis and zoster reactivation which seems to be from the spike protein is not signaling 100% no harm. Perhaps there is a level of acceptable harm but this is the same debate on the fatality figures for the youth from covid.
Near the end there is a discussion of risk/reward – this is something that the backgrounds they presented are not necessarily in advantage of traders and mathematicians.
“"The theoretical risk of Covid vaccines absolutely do not outweigh the benefit of the vaccine," said Greenhouse.
"Over 1,000 children have now died from Covid infection. Tens of thousands have been hospitalized. One of my patients was hospitalized this past week with significant illness from Covid disease," she said.
"The vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective for children five years of age and older," Greenhouse said, adding: "The risk benefit ratio based upon data available to this point clearly favors vaccinating children ages five-11."
Yonts also emphasized that there is "absolutely a benefit to vaccinating your children for Covid-19."
“Offit characterized the Malone video as "dangerously, flagrantly incorrect."
He added: "If anyone takes this man seriously, then they could put either themselves or their children at risk."
Greenhouse said she found the video to be "misleading and frankly dangerous," and "misinformation."
"People without a medical background will believe the statements in the video because Malone comes across as a knowledgeable ‘expert.’ The result is that many parents will decide not to vaccinate their children based upon this misinformation. That is why it is so crucial for us to widely disseminate evidence-based, study-proven information," she said.
Yonts said that her "overall take is that there’s just no rationale behind it, and I find it irresponsible to put that out there without anything to back up his claims."”
As pointed out in the previous blog post https://covid19mathblog.com/2022/01/covid-1-3-22/ – a link to the recent youth demographic shows there are criteria’s which could further segment the risk of covid and shift the risk/reward for your child – 2/3 of those HOSPITALIZED had 1 or more comorbidity with obesity being the dominant one. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm705152a3.htm?s_cid=mmmm705152a3_w&s=09
It’s a shame they didn’t take the extra step to calculate the amount of confirmations of youth in those states during that same time period so we can calculate the true fatality and hospital rates.
So given the above concerns you have to weigh the risk (the small adverse reaction to the vaccine) vs reward (reduction of probability from a very small number to begin with of hospitalization/death/long covid?) – also noting the many studies now pointing out to natural immunity superior and long-term benefit of childhood infection. THIS IS NOT A CLEAR cut choice – clearly some are in situation (multiple comorbidity which would shift the odds – some are not – many perhaps have prior infection already) – vax for all youth is not appropriate strategy given the various risk/reward profiles with no clear evidence of no harm.
Regardless the CDC is pushing the Pfizer booster for 12-15 per Omicron – https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2022/01/05/cdc-panel-recommends-pfizer-boosters-for-12-to-15-year-olds-amid-omicron-surge.html
The amazing turn of events is the coming out of arguing being healthy is irrelevant? https://www.tagesschau.de/faktenfinder/immunsystem-covid-19-101.html
“Whether you get infected with the coronavirus or not does not depend on whether you have a functioning or a weakened immune system, but on whether you inhale virus aerosols or not. Anyone who inhales virus aerosols is infected and therefore potentially contagious. This also does not prevent a functioning immune system.”
“"There is evidence that a functioning immune defense plays a role immediately after infection," says Carsten Watzl, immunologist at TU Dortmund University. But you can’t rely on that. The immune system is – if at all – just one of many factors that are not all known. He points out that young, healthy people with a completely intact immune system also become seriously ill.”
“the study results show how Sars-CoV-2 uses a mechanism of the immune system that is actually intended for defense and turns it into its opposite. What actually works as a "defense mechanism" probably enables the SARS-CoV-2 virus to board more and more cells in the body and multiply there. "At this stage, the virus is no longer the villain, but the immune system itself," explains immunologist Watzl. Therefore, immunosuppressive drugs are also given for treatment at this stage of the disease.”
“This means that these specific deficits in the immune system have nothing to do with whether these people eat a healthy diet or whether they get enough fresh air. "At the moment we have no way of strengthening a normally functioning immune system specifically against Sars-CoV2 with any vitamins or remedies," said Watzl. The only effective and targeted strengthening of the immune system against the corona virus is vaccination.”
“One thing is clear: a functioning immune system is of course better than a weakened immune system and a balanced diet, fresh air and enough sleep is always a good idea. "But," said Watzl, "even if everyone had a functioning immune system, this pandemic would not be over." Firstly, the immune system is – if at all – only one factor among many that decide whether and how severely someone becomes ill. Second, it does not protect against infection, including infecting someone unnoticed. Masks, keeping your distance and the rules of hygiene are urgently needed – no matter how your own immune system works.”
WOW – just wow. There is one thing that I find worthwhile in the article above- it is not the virus killing people – which goes back to the discussion Dr. Chetty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAvpxgCnDx0 which hypothesized it is an allergic reaction to the left over spike protein. IF this is true a healthy immune system by logical deduction would reduce the volume of viral load particles. A strong immune system and lower obesity WILL reduce viral load which IF this theory holds true reduce the volume of items to be allergic too!
The booster push is an amazing outcome too given studies and concerns of bioaccumulation of spike protein and those who have recently recovered from infection have much higher adverse effects from jab and the fact the booster does little for Omicron- https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.12.30.21268565v1?s=09
“Two doses of COVID-19 vaccines are unlikely to protect against infection by Omicron. A third dose provides some protection in the immediate term, but substantially less than against Delta. Our results may be confounded by behaviours that we were unable to account for in our analyses. Further research is needed to examine protection against severe outcomes”
We need a new procurement specialist/department for US govt – We just spent $700 for treatment which could be $18.77?!! https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/indias-dr-reddys-launch-generic-covid-19-merck-pill-about-50-cents-2022-01-04/?
“Indian drugmaker Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd (REDY.NS) will launch its generic version of Merck’s (MRK.N) antiviral COVID-19 pill, molnupiravir, and price it at 35 rupees ($0.4693) per capsule, a company spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The overall cost for a patient treated with a 5-day course of 40 capsules of the generic drug, to be sold under brand name ‘Molflu’, will come up to 1,400 rupees ($18.77). In comparison, the treatment with Merck’s pill in the United States costs $700.”
Just what we needed another variant and Flurona (flu and covid) – https://www.dw.com/en/new-coronavirus-variant-identified-in-france/a-60329823
Looks like for sure there will be significant amount of natural immunity – best have some treatments/prophylactics – https://www.austinisd.org/announcements/2022/01/04/back-school-testing-results-145-positivity-en-espannol?fbclid=IwAR3osd-Fkq6wNQUCLKc5XhmLzN-yQbSZeIvMeHWgYPbCMYQeXLBxvOfiJVI&s=09
“Back-to-school COVID-19 testing on Monday and Tuesday yielded a 14.5% overall positivity rate.
Austin-Travis County experienced a COVID-19 test positivity rate of more than 30% last week.
The positivity rate among molecular PCR tests in Texas is now 34.4% and 19.7% among antigen tests.”
Interesting news is Australia rejection of Novak Djokovic Visa as the tennis body approved his exemption but was denied by the govt. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/tennis-stars-back-protocols-and-medicos-ruling-on-vax-exemptions-20220103-p59lhm.html?s=09
“While compulsory vaccination has previously applied to staff and spectators at other tournaments, the Australian summer is the first time players have been subject to the rules.
Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley has revealed a handful of unvaccinated players had been granted medical exemptions – a process he said was more rigorous than for other visitors to Australia.
Various players endorsed the role of medical professionals and the protocols in place to properly assess health issues that could justify an exemption.
Three-time major semi-finalist Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov said: “I’m not a doctor but I’m sure there’s a reason that if somebody needs that [an exemption]. If it’s legit … if it’s to that extent and that point, then of course.”
Australian veteran Sam Stosur said it was not the role of fellow players to argue against them.
“I think if they’ve been given a medical exemption, then it’s for a medical exemption, so I think you’ve got to do that. But, yeah, hopefully it’s for the right reasons,” said the Queenslander.
““There are two medical panels that assess any application, and they assess it in a blind way. They don’t know who the applicant is,” Tiley said.
“Against the ATAGI [Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation] guidelines, an exemption gets granted or not. The reason for granting that exemption remains private, between the panel and the applicant.””
So interestingly Djokovic got the exemption but upon arrival got rejected by the Australian govt – note the above exemption was done BLIND so no influence of person. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-06/border-force-investigate-more-medical-exemptions-novak-djokovic/100742868?s=09
“Djokovic arrived at Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport on Wednesday night but was detained by the ABF after it was determined he did not meet the entry requirements for an unvaccinated traveller.”
“The 34-year-old had tried to enter Australia on the basis that he had contracted COVID-19 in the past six months and had been provided a valid exemption by Tennis Australia for being unvaccinated.
Government sources say Djokovic handed Border Force officials a medical exemption on Tennis Australia letterhead that was signed by the organisation’s Chief Medical Officer, but this was rejected.”
Besides his stance on not announcing his vax status he is also a plant based athlete which has already caused him to be controversial. Clearly the risk of the vax is not 0 – probably very low but not zero and no one wants be the rare exception – https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Tennis_Interviews/102836/jeremy-chardy-i-regret-getting-vaccinated-i-have-series-of-problems-now/?s=09
Speaking of Australia they are seeing massive confirmation and just as high amount of deaths as last year – when do you change strategy?
For those following the blog – the blog has been an early proponent of mask – they do reduce transmission but it’s a small amount so best once again for those with high risk. Clearly not all mask are equivalent. The US govt perhaps should have been offering N95 mask more than pushing vaccines in terms of reducing transmission. Clearly N95 is MORE effective than vaccination status in reducing transmission! https://www.wsj.com/articles/cloth-face-mask-omicron-11640984082?s=09
The positive news we have very low fatality rates across the globe.
In the US Ohio leads the nation in deaths
This latest surge is essentially everywhere and is indifferent to vaccination status.