Neurological Side Effects
What led to AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine being pulled from consideration in the United States?
AstraZeneca's vaccine was removed from the U.S. market after trial participant Brianne Dressen and another person reported identical serious neurological complications to the National Institutes of Health in January 2021. Despite initial promises that the vaccine was safe and effective, these adverse events were not disclosed to participants during the trial phase. The NIH responded within 24 hours to their reports, and within 10 days, two significant actions occurred: AstraZeneca was pulled from consideration in the United States, and the NIH initiated a study to investigate neurological complications following COVID vaccines in general. This demonstrates how individual adverse event reports can directly impact regulatory decisions and public health policy.
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VICE News
15:53 - 17:15
What adverse effects did Brianne Dressen experience after participating in the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine trial?
Brianne Dressen experienced severe and immediate neurological complications after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine during the phase three trial. Within an hour of injection, she developed tingling in her arm, followed by blurred and double vision, auditory distortions, and mobility issues including leg weakness that caused her to walk into doorways. Despite being assured of medical and financial support for research-related injuries, Dressen faced inadequate care from the pharmaceutical company. Her experience highlights critical gaps in vaccine trial participant support and the need for greater transparency in reporting adverse effects during clinical trials.
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VICE News
05:22 - 06:54