Why would the AstraZeneca vaccine or the J&J (Jannsen) vaccine create the very low chance of developing a blood clot? This was the primary reason why Ontario, US, Norway, and Denmark halted the rollout of these two vaccines.
Well, it seems that Dr. Andreas Greinacher (University of Greifswald) may have determined why the clots get triggered. He heads up a team of researchers (Drs. Kathleen Selleng, Jan Wesche, Stefan Handtke, Raghavendra Palankar, Konstanze Aurich, Michael Lalk, Karen Methling, Uwe Völker, Christian Hentschker, Stephan Michalik,Leif Steil, Linda Schönborn, Thomas Thiele, Florian Siegerist, Nicole Endlich,- all from Greifswald; Martin Beer and Kati Franzke, Friedrich-Loeffler Institut; Chandini Rangaswamy Reiner Mailer, and Tomas Renne from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf; Stefan Kochanek and Lea Krutzke of Ulm University; and a Canadian- Theodore E Warkentin of McMaster University), mostly from his own university.
You should know that both of these vaccines are viral vector types- which means they rely on modified cold viruses (adenoviruses) that contain the genetic material our bodies will use to recognize and attack the coronavirus.
Greinacher believes the clots are triggered by a preservative in the vaccine, along with a few stray proteins. (There are some 1000 proteins in the AstraZeneca vaccine plus the preservative EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.) The EDTA affords the the proteins the ability to traverse into the patient’s blood stream; there these proteins bond to platelet factor 4 (PF4), the complexes activate the production of antibodies.
This inflammation (and the PF4 complexes) convince our immune system that it’s infected by bacteria; this triggered archaic defense mechanism (vaccine-induced heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT, also termed VITT) then runs out of control, leading the clotting and bleeding.
Please note, while the results have been confirmed by other researchers, this may be correlative and not causitive.
Dr. Roy, the body’s ability to fight off harmful elements through the immune system function is amazing. Too bad this process is not desired in this case. Thanks for sharing the scientific reasoning behind these vaccines.
Well, we want the immune system to be activated by the vaccines. Just not this branch of the immune system.
Interesting. So the other vaccines don’t use the same preservatives? I guess that makes sense since some of these vaccines have to be stored at negative temperatures. I do look forward to more details as more information is discovered about this.
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EDTA is a typical preservative in many pharmaceutical products, Dominique.
CV19 itself caused far more clots than any of the vaccines combined!!!!!
But, not in the brain, Kate!
Interesting info. Even though there are many who feel that the small percentage of people who got blood clots can’t necessarily be connected to the vaccine, it’s important that it be studied and researched for the future, and for those who have yet to get the vaccine that has had a history of blood clots.
You said it well, Angie. With such a low incidence, it’s still not certain how the vaccine is related to the ailment.
This makes me very happy that I got the Pfizer vaccine!
I’m just glad you are vaccinated!
Informative indeed, as always Roy!!
Looks like they resolved issues with the J&J though, right? They had stopped it but when I went to get the first shot of vaccine for my 15 yo (as they opened up for that age group), adults were given offered option of J&J and Moderna…
As Alana recalled, the J&J is perfect for those who can’t come back for a second bite of the apple. We need to make it possible for this vaccine to deal with our population.
Good topic to put up.Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Interesting facts Roy. So Moderna and Pfizer are a different type? Both hubby and I had Pfizer early on.
Yes, those are created RNA vector vaccines.
I’m happy to know scientists are trying to get to the bottom of the rare blood clot side effect. There is enough vaccine hesitancy as it is, and the J&J vaccine is so perfect for rural areas, shutins and others.
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Absolutely correct, Alana. Thanks for that addition to the conversation.