Covid-19 vaccines and vaccinations

[Kitty]

I had thought it was cheaper

They were cheaper the first year they were offered (was that last year or the year before? I forget). But they were using the Novavax, and maybe some of the others have higher purchase or distribution costs. I seem to recall Novavax didn't need freezing.

 

[NelliePledge]

They are available in the UK through some of the larger pharmacies (eg some city branches of Boots) and some private health facilities.

I had thought it was cheaper, but just checking online Boots charges just under £100 and I imagine they will be fairly typical.

I think the pharmacies at Tescos are doing them

 

[Peter T]

I think the pharmacies at Tescos are doing them

Unfortunately I am also thirty miles from the nearest Tesco.

NB I didn’t find their charges on their website, but Google AI thinks they charge between £75 and £100 for a Covid jab. Their flu shots are cheaper.

 

[Chandelier]

New blog post by Hilda Bastian:

A Bumper Update on Next Generation Covid Vaccines (No 34) - Absolutely Maybe

This was always going to be a big month, with results from clinical trials of 2 vaccines, as well as 3 new…

absolutelymaybe.plos.org

 

[Mij]

Updated Covid-19 vaccine formula produces antibodies nearly three time longer than earlier versions, Emory study find

“SARS-CoV-2 has a continual transmission cycle and emergence of variants that can constantly jeopardize the effectiveness of vaccines,” says Suthar, also a professor at the Emory Vaccine Center. “However, what the data and evidence continually show is that receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine boosts these cross-creative antibodies, which helps protect those with pre-existing conditions, the elderly and the immunocompromised,” he adds.

Coronavirus significantly affects mitochondrial function, or energy production, impacting the heart, kidneys, liver, and lymph nodes. This puts the elderly and those with cancer, blood and autoimmune disorders, stroke, obesity and pre-existing conditions of the heart, kidney, lung and liver at an increased risk of severe disease.

Suthar also emphasized that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, and even those with healthy immune responses benefit from protection against hospitalization, mortality, and long COVID-19.

 

[Mij]

Moderna's combo flu-COVID vaccine receives European authorization

The world’s first combination seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccine, Moderna’s mCombriax, has received marketing authorization from the European Commission, following a positive review from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use.

“By combining protection against two significant respiratory viruses in a single dose, our vaccine aims to simplify immunization for adults, particularly those at high risk,” said Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel, MBA, in a press release. “mCOMBRIAX offers an important new option for Europeans, while also aiming to strengthen the resilience of healthcare systems across Europe."

Shots performed well in older adults

According to the company, mCombriax was based on the clinical development of mNexspike, Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, and mRNA-1010, Moderna’s investigational seasonal influenza vaccine, which has been accepted for review in the European Union (EU), United States, Canada, and Australia.

The vaccine performed well in a phase 3 trial, where a single dose elicited statistically significant higher immune responses against three influenza virus strains (A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B/Victoria) and against SARS-CoV-2 in adults 50 to 64 years and 65 years and older.

The marketing authorization is valid in all 27 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. No major safety concerns or adverse events were seen in the phase 3 trial.

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[Kitty]

Forgot to say I had the latest Moderna Covid jab two days ago. Same as usual: sore arm for a few hours, no other effects.

 

[Mij]

The Effects of Past COVID-19 Vaccination on Antibody Levels, Cellular Immunity, and Cytokine Production by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Abstract​

Background/Objective: This study is a cross-sectional investigation of long-term immune responses measured at different time intervals after COVID-19 infections, vaccinations, or combined exposure. The focus is on immune reactivity against recombinant spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) protein antigens.

Materials and Methods: Serum antibody levels were assessed up to four to four and a half years after infection or immunization, including virus-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA and IgM antibodies, as well as neutralizing antibodies against the S-protein. Cellular immunity was assessed by analyzing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC; n = 43 in first cohort, n = 32 in second cohort), including T-helper memory and cytotoxic subsets, and cytokine production after in vitro stimulation with recombinant SARS-CoV-2 proteins. A multiplex cytokine assay was used to analyze effector and regulatory immune responses.

Results: Virus-specific IgG antibodies persisted for years after exposure to SARS-CoV-2, with IgG against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) correlating most strongly with neutralizing activity. Vaccinated individuals demonstrated higher IgA responses, whereas antibodies to the N-protein were associated with previous infection. No IgM antibodies were detected in any subjects, suggesting an immune response based on memory rather than ongoing infection. PBMCs from individuals with a history of both COVID-19 exposure and vaccination exhibited enhanced responsiveness, characterized by increased frequencies of memory T cells compared to vaccination alone. Stimulating with the S-protein induces higher cytokine production, including IFN-gamma, TNF-alfa, and IL-12(p70), compared with stimulation by the N-protein. Cytokines such as IL-10 and TGF-beta are also elevated, suggesting immune regulation rather than persistent inflammation.

Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination are associated with persistent humoral and cellular immune responses detectable several years after exposure. Individuals with hybrid immunity exhibit broader and functionally enhanced immune reactivity, indicating more robust long-term immune memory. Future studies should focus on the long-term consequences of hybrid immunity and optimize other vaccine strategies, including recombinant antigen vaccines.

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