Mercury in Vaccines
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Mercury and Vaccinations
MERCURYMERCURY ANDAND VACCINESVACCINES FACT SHEET, OCTOBER 2006 What is the concern about mercury in vaccines? Thimerosal, also known as thiomersal, is a preservative used in a number of biological and pharmaceutical products, including some flu and many multi-dose vaccines used for child immunisation. Mercury makes up approximately 50% of the weight of thimerosal in the organic form of ethylmercury. Thimerosal has been added to products to help prevent the growth of microbes since the 1930s. As more has become known about the effects of mercury on human health, the use of thimerosal in vaccines became an issue of increasing concern. Over the years, with more and more childhood vaccinations recommended or required, the amount of mercury to which infants and young children are being exposed has signifi- cantly increased. While there were no toxic effects reported in the first study of thimerosal use in humans, published in 1931, the study was not specifically designed to examine toxicity and was flawed in a number of other ways.1 Studies of any potential effects of thimerosal exposure in humans are ongoing and no general scientific consensus currently exists. Questions have particularly arisen around a possible connection between thimerosal and autism. Additionally, research is being conducted into the relationship between mercury exposure and Alzheimer’s disease. In 2004, a statement from the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) noted that new toxicity studies demonstrate that ethylmercury is less toxic than methylmercury, the form people ingest by eating some types of fish.2 The following year, the report of the Immunisation Safety Review Committee produced by the US Institute of Medicine found again that reviewed evidence “favours a rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism.”3 Yet, others have suggested that new toxicological data shows that there could be a plausible connection between thi- merosal and neurological effects in animals and humans. -
Metallothionein-Protein Interactions
DOI 10.1515/bmc-2012-0049 BioMol Concepts 2013; 4(2): 143–160 Review S í lvia Atrian * and Merc è Capdevila Metallothionein-protein interactions Abstract: Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of univer- Introduction sal, small proteins, sharing a high cysteine content and an optimal capacity for metal ion coordination. They take Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of small ( < 10 kDa), part in a plethora of metal ion-related events (from detoxi- extremely heterogeneous proteins, sharing a high cysteine fication to homeostasis, storage, and delivery), in a wide content (15 – 30 % ) that confers them an optimal capacity range of stress responses, and in different pathological for metal ion coordination. After their discovery in horse processes (tumorigenesis, neurodegeneration, and inflam- kidneys by Bert Vallee in 1957 (1) , MTs have been identi- mation). The information on both intracellular and extra- fied and characterized in most prokaryotic and all eukary- cellular interactions of MTs with other proteins is here otic organisms. Besides metal ion detoxification, they comprehensively reviewed. In mammalian kidney, MT1/ have been related to a plethora of physiological events, MT2 interact with megalin and related receptors, and with from the homeostasis, storage, and delivery of physiologi- the transporter transthyretin. Most of the mammalian MT cal metals, to the defense against a wide range of stresses partners identified concern interactions with central nerv- and pathological processes (tumor genesis, neurodegen- ous system (mainly brain) proteins, both through physical eration, inflammation, etc.). It is now a common agree- contact or metal exchange reactions. Physical interactions ment among MT researchers that the ambiguity when mainly involve neuronal secretion multimers. -
Eucaryotic Metallothioneins: Proteins, Gene Regulation and Copper Homeostasis
Cah. Biol. Mar. (2001) 42 : 125-135 Eucaryotic metallothioneins: proteins, gene regulation and copper homeostasis. Alejandra MOENNE Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Casilla 40 correo 33, Santiago, Chile. Fax number: 56-2-6812108 - E-mail: [email protected] Abstract: Heavy metals such as copper, iron and zinc are essential for eucaryotic cell viability and they are required only in trace amounts. High concentrations of these metals are toxic for the cells and they trigger different molecular response mechanisms. One of the best studied of such responses involves the synthesis of metallothioneins (MTs) which are low molecular weight, cysteine-rich proteins that bind heavy metals by means of their cysteine residues. MTs have been purified from different eucaryotic cells and their structural and heavy metal binding properties have been determined. MT genes have been cloned from animal cells, fungi, plants and algae and their transcriptional activation by heavy metals has been characterized. The overexpression of MTs results in the accumulation of heavy metals in the cells. The best studied model for copper tolerance and homeostasis is the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this fungus, high concentrations of copper activate transcription of the gene coding for CUP1 MT. This process involves the binding of ACE1 transcription factor to the promoter of cup-1 gene. ACE1 directly binds copper ions and undergoes a conformational change that allows its binding to the promoter region. On the other hand, copper starvation triggers the transcriptional activation of at least two copper transporter genes and a copper reductase gene. -
NHSGGC COVID Vaccine Faqs for Health and Social Care Staff Version 06 12/01/21
NHSGGC COVID Vaccine FAQs for Health and Social Care Staff Version 06 12/01/21 Link to Green Book Chapter on COVID Vaccine MHRA vaccine approval JCVI recommendations CMO Letter COVID Vaccination Programme These FAQs relate to the Pzifer/BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccine COVID-19 vaccine The FAQs will be frequently updated as new information becomes available Any printed version will quickly be outdated, always check the NHSGGC webpage for the most up-to-date advice Sections in this document 1. Vaccine Details 2. Current illness and COVID vaccine 3. Flu Vaccine 4. I am immunosuppressed 5. I have previously had a positive COVID test result 6. I have taken part in a COVID vaccine trial 7. Infection Control 8. Nursing Homes 9. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding 10. Allergies and anaphylaxis and other medications 11. Staff Queries – General 12. COVID Vaccines and other vaccines 13. How to become a vaccinator 14. Appointments NHSGGC COVID Vaccine FAQs for Health and Social Care Staff Version 06 12/01/21 Section 1: Vaccine Details Are they live vaccines? No. Neither the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine nor the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine are live vaccines. The AZ vaccine uses an adenovirus, but as it cannot replicate it is not a live vaccine. How is the COVID-19 vaccine given? You will be given an injection in your upper arm. You will need two doses, the second will be offered 12 weeks after the first dose. During your vaccination, strict infection prevention and control measures will be in place. Will a vaccine booster be required? The schedule requires two doses. -
Opinions of Parents Concerning Childhood Vaccine Refusal and Factors Affecting Vaccination in Konya
96 ORIGINAL ARTICLE DOI: 10.4274/gulhane.galenos.2020.1312 Gulhane Med J 2021;63:96-103 Opinions of parents concerning childhood vaccine refusal and factors affecting vaccination in Konya Hüseyin İlter1, Lütfi Saltuk Demir2 1Ministry of Health General Directorate of Public Health, Ankara, Turkey 2Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty Meram of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Konya, Turkey Date submitted: ABSTRACT 04.08.2020 Aims: The purpose of this study was to reveal the opinions, knowledge, and attitudes of parents Date accepted: in Konya, who refuse vaccination, concerning vaccine refusal. 05.10.2020 Online publication date: Methods: The study has a cross-sectional design. The research data were collected in 2019 15.06.2021 using a survey form developed by the researchers. The survey form was filled out by the parents of children in the 0-4 age group who had not been vaccinated in Konya and its districts in 2017. We were able to reach 801 out of 923 children who had not been vaccinated and still Corresponding Author: living in Konya. The parents of 590 children (73.7%) who agreed to participate in the study were Hüseyin İlter, M.D., Ministry of Health interviewed. General Directorate of Public Health, Results: The most commonly refused type of vaccination was hepatitis A, whereas the least Ankara, Turkey was hepatitis B. The most common reasons for vaccine refusal were believing that vaccines were not safe (63.9%), not believing that vaccines were useful and necessary (57.6%), and not ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-4452-8902 trusting vaccines because they were produced overseas (47.3%). -
Summary of Supportive Science Regarding Thimerosal Removal
Summary of Supportive Science Regarding Thimerosal Removal Updated December 2012 www.safeminds.org Science Summary on Mercury in Vaccines (Thimerosal Only) SafeMinds Update – December 2012 Contents ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ................................................................................................................................. 4 A PILOT SCALE EVALUATION OF REMOVAL OF MERCURY FROM PHARMACEUTICAL WASTEWATER USING GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON (CYR 2002) ................................................................................................................................................................. 4 BIODEGRADATION OF THIOMERSAL CONTAINING EFFLUENTS BY A MERCURY RESISTANT PSEUDOMONAS PUTIDA STRAIN (FORTUNATO 2005) ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 USE OF ADSORPTION PROCESS TO REMOVE ORGANIC MERCURY THIMEROSAL FROM INDUSTRIAL PROCESS WASTEWATER (VELICU 2007)5 HUMAN & INFANT RESEARCH ............................................................................................................................ 5 IATROGENIC EXPOSURE TO MERCURY AFTER HEPATITIS B VACCINATION IN PRETERM INFANTS (STAJICH 2000) .................................. 5 MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS AND METABOLISM IN INFANTS RECEIVING VACCINES CONTAINING THIMEROSAL: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY (PICHICHERO 2002) ...................................................................................................................................................... -
Meningococcal a Conjugate Vaccine Into the Routine Immunization Programme
GUIDE TO INTRODUCING MENINGOCOCCAL A CONJUGATE VACCINE INTO THE ROUTINE IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMME GUIDE TO INTRODUCING MENINGOCOCCAL A CONJUGATE VACCINE INTO THE ROUTINE IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMME This publication was jointly developed by the WHO Regional Office for Africa and WHO headquarters. Guide to introducing meningococcal A conjugate vaccine into the routine immunization programme ISBN 978-92-4-151686-0 © World Health Organization 2019 Some rights reserved. This work is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial- ShareAlike 3.0 IGO licence (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc- sa/3.0/igo). Under the terms of this licence, you may copy, redistribute and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, provided the work is appropriately cited, as indicated below. In any use of this work, there should be no suggestion that WHO endorses any specific organization, products or services. The use of the WHO logo is not permitted. If you adapt the work, then you must license your work under the same or equivalent Creative Commons licence. If you create a translation of this work, you should add the following disclaimer along with the suggested citation: “This translation was not created by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO is not responsible for the content or accuracy of this translation. The original English edition shall be the binding and authentic edition”. Any mediation relating to disputes arising under the licence shall be conducted in accordance with the mediation rules of the World Intellectual Property Organization. Suggested citation. Guide to introducing meningococcal A conjugate vaccine into the routine immunization programme. -
Expres2ion Biotech Holding Sponsored Research Initiating Coverage 24 June 2021
ExpreS2ion Biotech Holding Sponsored Research Initiating Coverage 24 June 2021 Rising to the COVID-19 challenge ExpreS2ion Biotech is a contract research organization, which has been founded over 10 years ago. The company specializes in the production of complex proteins using its proprietary protein Target price (SEK) 60 expression platform. More recently, the company has been focusing Share price (SEK) 36 on the development of its pipeline, which includes several vaccine and therapeutic candidates. Out of this group, we regard the Forecast changes ABNCoV2 project (COVID-19 vaccine), carrying the highest near- % 2021e 2022e 2023e term potential. Its partner, Bavarian Nordic, plans to start Phase III Revenues NM NM NM trial later this year, pending funding. We expect an upward EBITDA NM NM NM EBIT adj NM NM NM potential rerating of SEK 50 per share, should the vaccine EPS reported NM NM NM successfully go through clinical development and receive regulatory EPS adj NM NM NM approval. We initiate coverage of ExpreS2ion Biotech with a Buy Source: Pareto rating, target price SEK 60 per share. Ticker EXPRS2.ST, EXPRS2 SS Sector Healthcare COVID-19 vaccine project carries the highest near-term potential Shares fully diluted (m) 27.6 Market cap (SEKm) 988 Despite the rapid success of a number of COVID-19 vaccines, there is Net debt (SEKm) -114 a need for improved vaccines that offer strong immunogenicity as Minority interests (SEKm) 0 well as ease of clinical administration, stability and adaptiveness of Enterprise value 21e (SEKm) 938 platform. Given impressive pre-clinical results, as well as solid interim Free float (%) 83 Phase I safety data, we believe ABNCoV2 has a significant opportunity to succeed through the rest of clinical development. -
Patient Information Leaflet Pandemrix Suspension and Emulsion For
gentamicin sulphate (antibiotic) or sodium Patient Information deoxycholate. Signs of an allergic reaction may Leaflet include itchy skin rash, shortness of breath and swelling of the face or tongue. However, in a pandemic situation, it may be Pandemrix suspension appropriate for you to have the vaccine provided that appropriate medical treatment is immediately and emulsion for available in case of an allergic reaction. emulsion for injection If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or nurse Pandemic influenza vaccine (H1N1) before having this vaccine. (split virion, inactivated, adjuvanted) Talk to your doctor • if you have had any allergic reaction other than For the most up-to-date information a sudden lifethreatening allergic reaction to any please consult the website of the UK ingredient contained in the vaccine, to thiomersal, Medicines and Healthcare products to egg and chicken protein, ovalbumin, Regulatory Agency at: formaldehyde, gentamicin sulphate (antibiotic) or www.mhra.gov.uk/swineflu to sodiumdeoxycholate. (see section 6. Further information). Read all of this leaflet carefully before you receive this vaccine. • if you have a severe infection with a high - Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again. temperature (over 38°C). If this applies to you - If you have any further questions, ask your then your vaccination will usually be postponed doctor or nurse. until you are feeling better. A minor infection such - If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you as a cold should not be a problem, but your notice any side effects doctor or nurse will advise whether you could still not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor. -
Metallothionein-3 As a Multifunctional Player in the Control of Cellular Processes and Diseases Jae-Young Koh1,2 and Sook-Jeong Lee3*
Koh and Lee Molecular Brain (2020) 13:116 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13041-020-00654-w REVIEW Open Access Metallothionein-3 as a multifunctional player in the control of cellular processes and diseases Jae-Young Koh1,2 and Sook-Jeong Lee3* Abstract Transition metals, such as iron, copper, and zinc, play a very important role in life as the regulators of various physiochemical reactions in cells. Abnormal distribution and concentration of these metals in the body are closely associated with various diseases including ischemic seizure, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer. Iron and copper are known to be mainly involved in in vivo redox reaction. Zinc controls a variety of intracellular metabolism via binding to lots of proteins in cells and altering their structure and function. Metallothionein-3 (MT3) is a representative zinc binding protein predominant in the brain. Although the role of MT3 in other organs still needs to be elucidated, many reports have suggested critical roles for the protein in the control of a variety of cellular homeostasis. Here, we review various biological functions of MT3, focusing on different cellular molecules and diseases involving MT3 in the body. Keywords: Autophagy, Alzheimer’s disease, Lysosome, Metallothionein-3, Neurodegenerative disease, Oxidative stress, Zinc Introduction Metallothioneins (MTs) are proteins that bind or re- Intracellular transition metals exist in various forms- lease cellular transition metals, an interaction that de- free or attached to proteins or organelles. Most metals pends on specific cell situations. MTs were first reported in the cells are involved in diverse cellular function, in- by Vallee and Margoshe as Cd-binding protein from cluding the recycling of organelles and proteins as well horse renal cortex [1]. -
Pfizer / Biontech COVID-19 Vaccine Prescribing Guidance
Pfizer / BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine prescribing guidance Prescriber responsibilities The prescriber is professionally and legally accountable for the care given to a patient or health care worker (HCW) including delegated responsibilities such as administration. The prescriber must assess the patient / HCW and have adequate knowledge of the patient’s/HCW’s health and be satisfied that the vaccine serves the individual needs. Prescribing guidance notes The following information is designed to support the prescriber in making safe prescribing decisions balancing the risk of adverse drug reactions with the risk of not immunising an individual. Allergy Any person with a history of immediate-onset anaphylaxis to a vaccine, medicine or food and/or those who have been advised to carry an adrenaline autoinjector should not receive the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine. Any person with more than one actively treated allergic condition eg. asthma, hay fever, eczema, allergic rhinitis should not receive the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine. Any person with a systemic reaction to any medicine, vaccine or food should not receive the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine until an MDT review has been undertaken. The MDT will include as a minimum, a consultant immunologist, a senior medical decision maker (associate medical director or above) and a senior pharmacist. If the MDT decides to authorise vaccine administration, it should be administered in an appropriate hospital setting. Medicines to treat anaphylaxis, (adrenaline 1:1000 injection, chlorpheniramine injection and hydrocortisone injection) must be available. A second dose of the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine should not be given to those who have experienced anaphylaxis to the first dose of Pfizer BioNtech vaccination. -
Product Information for Pandemrix H1N1 Pandemic Influenza Vaccine
Attachment 1: Product information for Pandemrix H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine. Influenza virus haemagglutinin (A/California/7/2009(H1N1)v-like strain). GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd. PM-2010- 02995-3-2 Final 12 February 2013. This Product Information was approved at the time this AusPAR was published. PANDEMRIX™ H1N1 PRODUCT INFORMATION Pandemic influenza vaccine (split virion, inactivated, AS03 adjuvanted) NAME OF THE MEDICINE PANDEMRIX H1N1, emulsion and suspension for emulsion for injection. Pandemic influenza vaccine (split virion, inactivated, AS03 adjuvanted). DESCRIPTION Each 0.5mL vaccine dose contains 3.75 micrograms1 of antigen2 of A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)v- like strain and is adjuvanted with AS033. 1haemagglutinin 2propagated in eggs 3The GlaxoSmithKline proprietary AS03 adjuvant system is composed of squalene (10.68 milligrams), DL-α-tocopherol (11.86 milligrams) and polysorbate 80 (4.85 milligrams) This vaccine complies with the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation for the pandemic. Each 0.5mL vaccine dose also contains the excipients Polysorbate 80, Octoxinol 10, Thiomersal, Sodium Chloride, Disodium hydrogen phosphate, Potassium dihydrogen phosphate, Potassium Chloride and Magnesium chloride. The vaccine may also contain the following residues: egg residues including ovalbumin, gentamicin sulfate, formaldehyde, sucrose and sodium deoxycholate. CLINICAL TRIALS This section describes the clinical experience with PANDEMRIX H1N1 after a single dose in healthy adults aged 18 years and older and the mock-up vaccines (Pandemrix H5N1) following a two-dose administration. Mock-up vaccines contain influenza antigens that are different from those in the currently circulating influenza viruses. These antigens can be considered as “novel” antigens and simulate a situation where the target population for vaccination is immunologically naïve.