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COVID Vaccines Reduce Risk Of Heart Failure, Clots
March 18, 2024 – By now, most of us have heard the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine, like the reduced risk of serious illness should you get a COVID infection and a significantly lowered chance of hospitalization or death should you get sick. Now, there may be another benefit to add: Getting a COVID shot may also help reduce the risk of heart failure.
That's according to researchers from the University of Oxford in England, who found that people who got COVID-19 vaccines had a reduced risk of heart failure, compared to people who didn't get vaccinated.
The protection lasted up to a year and also lowered the chance of experiencing heart inflammation and some types of blood clots. The findings were published this month by the journal Heart.
The authors suggested that their large study provides another look at what they called the "tangled" relationship between COVID and the risk of heart and blood clot problems. Previous research on the topics has provided complex findings on the relationship between vaccination and the risk levels of those conditions.
The new findings suggest that the protection against heart and blood-flow problems associated with vaccination outweighs the risks. That's because a COVID infection creates a risk level for those same heart and blood clot problems that is significantly higher than the risk just from vaccination. Ultimately, vaccinated people in the study who got COVID were less likely to have severe symptoms, less likely to be hospitalized, and less likely to die.
"Our findings probably reflect the fact that the vaccines are effective in reducing infection, and minimize the risk of severe COVID-19. These results could encourage COVID-19 vaccination among hesitant people who are worried about the potential risk of vaccine side effects," said lead study author Nuria Mercade Besora in a statement published by the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences at the University of Oxford.
Researchers analyzed health data for more than 20 million people living in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Estonia. About half of the people were vaccinated with shots made by BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Janssen/Johnson & Johnson.
Protection against heart and blood flow problems was strongest during the first 30 days after infection with the virus that causes COVID. The researchers found that the risk of heart failure among vaccinated people was reduced by 55% during the initial days of an infection, and by at least 50% during the year following, compared to unvaccinated people. Venous thromboembolism risk, which is when a clot forms in a vein, was reduced by 78% during an initial infection and by at least 50% in the year following. The risk of clots that affect blood flow in the arteries was reduced by 47% during the initial days of an infection and by at least 48% during the year afterward.
The authors wrote that further follow-up is needed, particularly to look at the effects of COVID booster shots that were given after the period for their study, which began in 2021.
Bimzelx Side Effects: What You Should Know
Bimzelx (bimekizumab-bkzx) is a brand-name drug that's prescribed to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. As with other drugs, Bimzelx can cause side effects, such as fatigue, headache, and injection site reactions.
Bimzelx can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who used Bimzelx in clinical trials:
* For more information about this side effect, see "Side effect specifics" below.
Mild side effects can occur with Bimzelx use. This list doesn't include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Bimzelx's prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Bimzelx include:
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Bimzelx and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see "Side effect specifics" below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Bimzelx. However, this side effect wasn't reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the "Side effect specifics" section below.
Bimzelx may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Bimzelx's prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while using Bimzelx, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you're having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:
* An allergic reaction is possible after using Bimzelx. However, this side effect wasn't reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the "Side effect specifics" section below.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Bimzelx may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Bimzelx.
Injection site reactionsBimzelx is given as a subcutaneous injection. Injection site reactions were a commonly reported side effect in clinical studies of Bimzelx. These reactions typically appear around the area where you give the injection. Symptoms can include:
Injection site reactions will typically go away on their own. There are some steps you can take to help relieve the symptoms if they bother you. Applying a cold compress may help reduce swelling and pain. Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). This can also help reduce pain and inflammation.
To help reduce discomfort while injecting Bimzelx, you can take the syringe out of the refrigerator 30–45 minutes before your injection. This allows the drug to warm up to room temperature. It's important to keep the syringe in its original carton until injecting.
Talk with your doctor if you experience injection site reactions that get worse over time instead of better. Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any over-the-counter medications.
Fungal infectionsFungal infections of the mouth, skin, nails, or genitals were commonly reported in clinical studies of Bimzelx. Symptoms of a fungal infection can vary depending on where the infection is.
Symptoms of a fungal infection of the mouth can include:
Symptoms of a fungal infection of the skin or nails can include:
Symptoms of a fungal infection of the genitals can include:
If you notice any signs of a fungal infection, talk with your doctor. They can evaluate your symptoms and recommend a medication to best treat your specific type of infection.
Allergic reactionAs with most drugs, Bimzelx can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn't reported in clinical trials.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Bimzelx. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you're having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Bimzelx. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:
Depression or suicidal thoughts or behaviors: You may be at an increased risk for suicidal thoughts or behaviors while using Bimzelx. Having a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behaviors may further increase your risk. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have a history of any of these conditions. If you notice any new or worsening depression symptoms or suicidal thoughts, talk with your doctor right away. Your doctor will decide if it's safe for you to continue using Bimzelx.
Infections: Tell your doctor if you currently have an infection. Because Bimzelx may also cause infections, your doctor will likely not prescribe the drug if you currently have an infection. They may want to make sure your infection is gone before you start treatment with Bimzelx. Also, be sure to tell your doctor about any long-term infections or infections that go away and come back often. They can determine if treatment with Bimzelx is a safe treatment option for you.
Liver problems: Bimzelx can cause an increase in liver enzymes, which may lead to liver damage. If you have active liver disease or cirrhosis, you may be at an increased risk for severe liver damage. For this reason, your doctor will likely not prescribe Bimzelx if you have active liver disease or cirrhosis. They can recommend other treatment options for you.
Tuberculosis: Your doctor will likely order a test to make sure you do not have tuberculosis (TB) before prescribing Bimzelx. This medication may cause active TB in someone who has existing TB. If you do have TB, it will need to be treated before starting therapy with Bimzelx. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you have a history of TB. In some cases, your doctor may need to prescribe treatment for TB before you start Bimzelx. They can tell you when it's safe for you to start using Bimzelx.
History of inflammatory bowel disease: Bimzelx can also cause inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. If you have a history of these conditions and are experiencing symptoms, your doctor likely will not prescribe Bimzelx. They can recommend alternative treatment options for you.
Recent vaccinations: Talk with your doctor before receiving any vaccines while using Bimzelx. This is because certain live vaccines, such as FluMist, should not be given during treatment with Bimzelx. (Giving a live vaccine to someone receiving Bimzelx may cause the person to develop that virus or bacterial infection since live vaccines contain a small amount of the virus or bacterial infection.) Your doctor can tell you if the vaccine is safe for you or suggest other options. Your doctor will likely recommend that you are up to date with the appropriate vaccines before starting therapy with Bimzelx.
Allergic reaction: If you've had an allergic reaction to Bimzelx or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Bimzelx. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you're pregnant or breastfeeding your child, it's not known if Bimzelx is safe for you to take. Talk with your doctor before taking Bimzelx if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
If you become pregnant while taking Bimzelx, you and your doctor should consider reporting your pregnancy to the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) Autoimmune Diseases Study. This pregnancy registry helps gather information on how certain drugs can affect pregnancy. For more information, call 877-311-8972, visit the registry website, or talk with your doctor.
Alcohol consumption: There's no known interaction between Bimzelx and alcohol. However, both Bimzelx and alcohol can cause liver damage. Drinking alcohol may increase this risk. If you have questions about how much alcohol is safe to drink during treatment with Bimzelx, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Like most medications, Bimzelx can cause side effects. Most are mild and tend to go away on their own within a few days to weeks. Serious side effects aren't common. Talk with your doctor if you develop side effects that are bothersome or serious.
If you'd like to learn more about Bimzelx, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
COVID-19 Vaccine Skeptics Latch On To Kate Middleton's Disappearance
As conspiracies surrounding Kate Middleton's public absence continue to swirl—anti-vaxxers and proponents of misinformation finally emerged from the woodwork.
"Kate Middleton is vaccine injured. But one cannot speak about vaccine injury without getting banned from polite society," claimed one X user without evidence. "So the British royal family does dumb sh*te like hiding her for months and then badly photoshopping a picture to make it look like everything is okay. Nothing is okay. Vaccines are wrecking humanity."
The Princess of Wales has not made any public appearances since Christmas and her prolonged absence—which Kensington Palace says is due to her recovering from a planned abdominal surgery in January—resulted in all sorts of theories. Speculation included possible marital problems between her and Prince William and that she is in a coma following complications from surgery. Then, a recently botched editing job only fanned the flames something sinister was happening.
But it appears the conspiracy, which has been unfolding on social media for months, is just now gaining steam among anti-vaxxers, who frequently (and generally baselessly) attribute celebrities' health issues and the like to the COVID-19 vaccine.
"Let's just put it this way — if it WASN'T vaccine injury, they would have already told us what it is," the same X user claimed, arguing that her abdominal surgery pointed to COVID vaccine complications.
Another person posted a photo of Middleton receiving the vaccine in 2021, asking, "Kate Middleton got the covid jab and now she's disappeared. Coincidence?"
Another conspiracist wrote: "What if Kate Middleton had a stroke due to the Covid jab? Hard to cover that up for too long."
There is no evidence to suggest Middleton's disappearance is in any way related to the vaccine she received almost three years ago.
More than 270 million people in the U.S. Have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine and serious side effects are extremely rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"People receiving COVID-19 vaccines are less likely to die from COVID-19 and its complications and are at no greater risk of death from non-COVID causes, than unvaccinated people," the CDC states.
But it's not just anti-vaxxers tying COVID-related theories to Middleton. Some social media users are going the opposite route.
"My Kate Middleton theory is she has long covid. The palace can't admit it because then they'd have to admit covid is still a major issue," wrote one person with the hashtag "CovidIsNotOver."
"I'm honestly wondering if Kate Middleton died of Covid, and THAT is what they're hiding," wrote another user along with a graphic depicting increasing COVID hospitalizations in the U.K.
"I bet Kate Middleton has long covid," said someone else.
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*First Published: Mar 14, 2024, 11:25 am CDT
Katherine HugginsKatherine Huggins is a New York-based journalist and freelance contributor to the Daily Dot's tech and politics section. She helps cover the United Nations for the Japanese newspaper Mainichi and previously reported on the 2022 midterm elections for Marketwatch. Her work has appeared in USA Today, Forbes, OpenSecrets and more.
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