Death of fully vaccinated US expert in India sparks worry over Pfizer's efficacy against COVID-19 double mutant

[spoon]

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines have been dragged into the spotlight over efficacy concerns against the new double mutant variant first found in India after an infectious disease specialist from the US, who had received two Pfizer shots prior to his arrival in India, passed away after testing positive for coronavirus at the age of 81, local media reported on Wednesday. 

Although there is no direct evidence showing reduced efficacy of Pfizer vaccines against the new mutated strain, previous studies suggest a reduced protection rate against other variants, health experts reached by the Global Times said.

Dr Rajendra Kapila, a professor at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey specializing in infectious diseases, arrived in India in late March and was scheduled to fly back to the US in mid-April, but he found he was infected with COVID-19 on April 8 and was later admitted to Delhi's Shanti Mukund Hospital, local media the Hindustan Times reported on Wednesday. 

He died at the hospital on April 28, the report said, but no details on the cause of his death have been disclosed, nor has it been specified if Kapila was infected with the double mutated virus. 

"For the last one year I have been working at a COVID-19 lab in New Jersey and had ensured a safe environment at home," said Dr Deepti, Kapila's wife who traveled with him to India. "It is ironic that we came to India for two weeks and he contracted it here," she said, Hindustan Times reported.

Continues below

Source

[Riobard]

Let’s remember that there were vaccine breakthroughs of initial wildtype SARS-CoV-2 for BNT162b2 from the get go in pre-EUA research, and the ratio of moderate to severe cases was technically mathematically suggestive of no less probability of severe disease than was observed in the population at large. It is not the spectre of a new strain that necessarily inflated the potential for lethal infection. That can occur across all variants. The massive breadth of vaccination simply provides enough volume of vaccinated people to have COVID death lurking among them/us, albeit lesser rates.

[spoon]

Yup, it is not a sure thing that vaccine will prevent 100% severe cases/death at the moment, especially when some people doesnt generate enough antibody even after receiving the recommended dose of the vaccine. What the article is highlighting for me is even if you are fully vaccinated, currently the virus is evolving, and the efficacy of vaccine might also reduce over time, as no one knows the long term immunity of vaccine yet. So if you are in a heavily impacted area, always be mindful to observe the safety protocol. 

[BiBottomBoy]

Well there's the two percent the vaccine doesn't work for.

[simba]

Keep in mind that the guy was aged 81 and had underlying health conditions (diabetes, hypertension). 

Also, the article was published in the Global Times, which is a Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece. Any surprise that the article suggests that Chinese vaccines might be more effective against variants of the virus? (The issue with the vaccines developed in China is that there is poor transparency -- how the trials were conducted and their data/results are not fully publicised. Even the director of the Chinese CDC admitted that their vaccines aren't very effective! see https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n969) 

[Riobard]

For all the trash talk about China’s vaccines, WHO with its stringent review process just signed off on Sinopharm’s BBIBP-CorV, the sixth product thus far to receive the stamp of approval, though recommending for under age 60 for now. 

The decision about Sinovac’s CoronaVac comes next week. The media’s call on it is a toss-up. I think it will be greenlit. The recent follow-up effectiveness trials all indicate meeting the 50% threshold or better. Brazilians and Chileans have been keen to queue up for it and there have been no indications of serious adverse events. Sadly, President Bolsonaro continues to badmouth China and much damage control is required. The Chinese cannot seem to take in stride that he is essentially insane. 

—-

[alexa800]

Hi! This is an old topic but i get why you're worried. But from what I've experienced, vaccines still offer much protection against severe illness.

[TotallyOz]

On 7/18/2023 at 4:03 PM, alexa800 said:

Hi! This is an old topic but i get why you're worried. But from what I've experienced, vaccines still offer much protection against severe illness.

Yes, but too much can also be bad. My doctor recently told me not to get another vaccine. I have had 5.

[fedssocr]

That's interesting. I've read that the current "bivalent" boosters only offer protection for 6 months or so. So I wonder why your doctor would counsel against another booster. I suppose given the lower infection rate most people are unlikely to get exposed at this point. Even with all of my shots I ended up getting infected back at the end of March/beginning of April while I was in Japan. But I might have been infected while I was in Thailand. Even my relatively mild infection still lingered for several weeks.

[Mavica]

I've had 6 of the COVID shots.  Most recently before my May 2023 visit to Mexico.  No sickness, yet.  😁

[Keithambrose]

I have had 4 shots. Last a year ago. Waiting for booster in Autumn in UK as not yet 75! Got Covid in February, but mild symptoms. Only lasted 2 days.

[numerito]

I haven’t had covid at all. Five Pfizer shots have protected me so far and I had absolutely no side effects from them. I am more than willing to take a 6th, a 7th, an 8th…whatever is needed. 

[KeepItReal]

6 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

I have had 4 shots. Last a year ago. Waiting for booster in Autumn in UK as not yet 75! Got Covid in February, but mild symptoms. Only lasted 2 days.

I had the same experience. I got the original Pfizer two dose and then one booster. 9 months later I picked up Covid during a convention - very light symptoms, worked from home for a few days but did not feel like I needed time off from work or to get additional rest. Felt like a mild cold.  Asked my doctor if I needed another booster a few weeks ago (about a year after I got Covid) and he said nope - no need.  Will reassess when winter comes in a few months. 

[Keithambrose]

I will have the 5th jab in Autumn, just to be on safe side. Had no side effects from first 4 jabs, Pfizer, but 5th, in UK, is Sanofi, and some side effects have been reported, but not significant! A couple of friends had two days in bed. 

[Rickuda]

It's understandable that such cases raise questions about vaccine efficacy against new variants. While there's no direct evidence yet, it's essential for health experts to closely monitor and study these situations to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of vaccines.

[Mavica]

There's an improved vaccine expected to be available in the USA probably within the next 60 days.  

Quote

The currently-available vaccines are bivalent, meaning they target two strains of COVID-19—the original virus and the Omicron subvariants that dominated last winter. BA.4 and BA.5 have now faded into the background and the bivalent vaccines are not nearly as protective against new variants.

FDA Panel Recommends Updating COVID-19 Vaccines to Match Current Variants (verywellhealth.com)

[KeepItReal]

On 8/7/2023 at 6:39 AM, Mavica said:

There's an improved vaccine expected to be available in the USA probably within the next 60 days.  

FDA Panel Recommends Updating COVID-19 Vaccines to Match Current Variants (verywellhealth.com)

Check this out. I had almost forgotten about this.

https://www.cleveland.com/open/2023/08/this-doctor-said-vaccines-magnetize-people-ohio-suspended-her-medical-license.html

How the heck did it take Ohio 2 years to act on this??? 🤨

[Rickuda]

On 8/7/2023 at 11:10 AM, Rickuda said:

It's understandable that such cases raise questions about vaccine efficacy against new variants. While there's no direct evidence yet, it's essential for health experts to closely monitor and study these situations to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of vaccines.

In memory of Dr. Rajendra Kapila, here are some epitaph examples that may honor his contributions: "Remembered for his dedication to infectious diseases," "Rest in peace, a knowledgeable and caring soul," "Leaving a legacy of expertise and compassion."

[Ruthrieston]

I cannot find any supplies of the vaccine in Pattaya now. Anybody know of anywhere to try?

[forky123]

On 8/11/2023 at 10:27 PM, KeepItReal said:

Check this out. I had almost forgotten about this.

https://www.cleveland.com/open/2023/08/this-doctor-said-vaccines-magnetize-people-ohio-suspended-her-medical-license.html

How the heck did it take Ohio 2 years to act on this??? 🤨

From reading the article it has taken 2 years because the suspension is not for what she said, it's for failing to comply with the investigation which I guess has taken 2 years so far due to her non-compliance.