When science meets the headlines, the SMCNZ is there to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science, health and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.
This week vaccine-related papers on when vaccine immune does or doesn’t decline, differing antibody responses to different vaccines, correlates of protection for the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, and viral loads in vaccinated people.
While 80 percent of New Zealand’s eligible population is either vaccinated or booked in to get a Covid jab, challenges remain in reaching people on the rollout’s final frontier. The SMC asked experts to comment on: Vaccine access issues Māori vaccination rates How to reach under-vaccinated groups Pasifika people becoming more willing to be vaccinated Access for people with disabilities Accounting for unequal coverage when modelling the vaccine rollout
A new modelling paper says that New Zealand may no longer need lockdowns if we vaccinate 90 per cent of the population. The paper authors say moderate public health measures like mask use and gathering restrictions may even have to remain at this high rate of vaccination, due to how transmissible the Delta variant is. See the Te Pūnaha Matatini paper and press release here: https://www.tepunahamatatini.ac.nz/2021/09/23/modelling-to-support-a-future-covid-19-strategy/. Note: this paper has not been externally peer-reviewed.
This week Pfizer’s data on vaccinating 5 to 11 year olds, papers on the effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine, the effectiveness of several vaccines against different variants, the immunity boost from natural infection, and the need for more research on whether vaccination affects menstruation. Non-vaccine research includes years of life lost due to Covid, mixed results for Remdesivir, infectiousness of the Delta variant, an artificial intelligence success, paranoia and its influences, and underestimating infections from bats.
This week there are lots of vaccine-related studies. Emerging evidence on the effectiveness of a booster dose for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, and effectiveness of several vaccines in general, as well as against the Delta variant. Plus, comparing immune responses to different vaccines, evidence for vaccines reducing transmissibility, and vaccine-related myocarditis risks for boys. Non-vaccine-related papers are in a separate Tracker again today.
The Novavax vaccine is the remaining Covid-19 jab among the New Zealand Government’s pre-purchase agreements that’s under review by Medsafe, with doses expected to arrive early next year. Medicines regulator Medsafe approved the three other vaccines in the Government’s Covid-19 vaccine portfolio this year, with only the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine currently being used in New Zealand’s vaccination campaign.
This week, vaccines and infectiousness, differing results for Delta hospitalisation risks, effectiveness of a third dose, vaccine safety studies, and what influences vaccine hesitancy. In non-vaccine studies, rapid antigen tests, children’s strong innate immunity, the low risk from public toilets, and episodic mutation rates.
This week we again have separate issues on vaccine and non-vaccine papers. Continuing research on effective of vaccines against infections and hospitalisations, and waning immunity. Plus, the benefit of getting vaccinated even if previously infected, how vaccines may reduce risk of Long Covid, and ethical and scientific perspectives on booster shots.
This week vaccine-related papers cover effectiveness, immune responses, correlates of protection, and how reporting vaccine hesitancy influences vaccination decisions. (Due to volume, non-vaccine related papers are in a separate Coronavirus Research Tracker this week. See https://smcnz.substack.com).
This week’s papers include several studies looking at changes in vaccine effectiveness against infection and/or hospitalisation over time, or against different variants. Models indicate the risks posed by uneven global vaccination. In other research, studies of infections in children, the ongoing development of novel therapies, and why the Delta variant may be more transmissible.
This week’s papers include comparing different vaccines’ effectiveness against Delta, Moderna’s safety for teenagers, and T cell responses to vaccines. Non-vaccine papers include a possible cause for some cases of Long Covid, estimating asymptomatic frequency, and the importance of large scale therapeutic trials. It is easy to get swamped by all the research on coronavirus. New Zealand’s Science Media Centre is keeping track of much of it so you don’t have to. The Research Tracker is prepared by Dr Robert Hickson for the Science Media Centre New Zealand.
This week, several papers look at effectiveness of vaccines against Delta variant infections. Other studies test how to nudge behaviours, and there is a review of factors that helped the rapid development and deployment (in richer countries) of vaccines. Non-vaccine research papers include further promising results for the REGEN-COV antibody therapy, T cell effectiveness against variants, increasing neutralisation potency over time, and finding new variants in wastewater.
New Zealand’s medicines regulator Medsafe has given the provisional green light to the AstraZeneca vaccine, making it the third Covid-19 vaccine approved for use among NZ’s adult population. The viral vector vaccine is one of four purchase agreements the government has made with pharmaceutical companies. Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall said the country’s immunisation plan remains focused on rolling out the Pfizer mRNA vaccine.
It is easy to get swamped by all the research on coronavirus. New Zealand’s Science Media Centre is keeping track of much of it so you don’t have to. The Research Tracker is prepared by Dr Robert Hickson for the Science Media Centre New Zealand. This week emerging but mixed results on waning effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine, frequency of breakthrough infections, adverse reactions to vaccines, and vaccine safety for adolescents. Non-vaccine papers include Covid-19-associated neurological damage, recalculating deaths in India, and recent changes in selection pressure on the virus.
It is easy to get swamped by all the research on coronavirus. New Zealand’s Science Media Centre is keeping track of much of it so you don’t have to. The Research Tracker is prepared by Dr Robert Hickson for the Science Media Centre New Zealand. This week: more reports on the laboratory and real world effectiveness of different vaccines, poor countries missing out on vaccines, the antibodies that target SARS-CoV-2, and possible new therapies.
The Science Media Centre New Zealand contributes to improved quantity, quality, breadth, and depth of science reporting through their work with a range of media outlets, reaching a large proportion of New Zealanders. The SMC also provides media training for experts through their Science Media SAVVY workshops.
The SMC was set up in 2008 to provide independent, trusted advice to journalists covering science-related stories. It is part of a global network of Science Media Centres, all of which aim to inform public debate and discussion on the major issues of the day by injecting evidence-based science into the news.
The Science Media Centre New Zealand contributes to improved quantity, quality, breadth, and depth of science reporting through their work with a range of media outlets, reaching a large proportion of New Zealanders. The SMC also provides media training for experts through their Science Media SAVVY workshops.
The SMC was set up in 2008 to provide independent, trusted advice to journalists covering science-related stories. It is part of a global network of Science Media Centres, all of which aim to inform public debate and discussion on the major issues of the day by injecting evidence-based science into the news.