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.
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 provides a selection of significant recent coronavirus research reports, and is prepared by Dr Robert Hickson for the Science Media Centre. This week, papers about vaccine efficacy, benefits and risks. Plus, more research into the infectivity of the Delta variant, longer term non-Covid risks after infection, and factors that may influence infection susceptibility.
New Zealand could soon have two Covid-19 vaccine options, as Medsafe approves the single-dose Janssen vaccine for use in over-18s. Cabinet will now weigh up the options for using the Janssen vaccine, with a decision expected some time in August.
This week it’s mostly papers about vaccine effectiveness and vaccination strategies. There are also four papers looking for, or at, the origin of SARS-CoV-2.
This week: further information on vaccine effectiveness, long term immunity, correlates of protection, and the effects of infection on physical and mental health.
New Zealand’s medicines regulator has given the provisional tick for kids as young as 12 to get the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that there are around 265,000 children in the 12-15 age group. The move follows similar approvals in places like Europe, the US, and Canada.
A global collaboration helmed in New Zealand will help assess the safety of COVID-19 vaccines on a massive scale. The Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN) at the University of Auckland, with its 21 partners in 17 countries, has been awarded funds by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor 300 million people for vaccine side-effects.
New Zealand’s medicines regulator has asked for more information from Janssen, with countries putting the company’s Covid-19 vaccine on hold due to rare blood clot concerns. The Janssen vaccine was next in line to be approved for use in New Zealand, but over the past few days the US, EU, and South Africa have all suspended its use. The SMC asked experts to comment.
A new Covid-19 mutation nicknamed ‘Eek’, which could reduce vaccine efficacy, is becoming increasingly prevalent. Overseas researchers have said the increase in dominance of variants carrying E484K mutations could seriously complicate vaccination efforts. The SMC posed questions about mutations and vaccines to experts.
New Zealand’s medicines regulator has published its first report on adverse reactions experienced by New Zealanders getting the Pfizer Covid-19 jab. There were three serious cases reported out of the more than 15,000 doses given from 20 February to 6 March. Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said this afternoon that all three serious cases were considered allergic reactions and were managed appropriately, and that one of them was classified as an anaphylactic reaction.
A managed isolation and quarantine worker (MIQ) worker in Auckland, New Zealand, has tested positive for Covid-19 after receiving their second vaccine dose.
Ireland has joined a growing list of European countries pausing their use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine after reports of blood clotting. The vaccine manufacturer says its review of the reports show the jab does not increase the risk of blood clotting. New Zealand agreed to purchase enough of the vaccine to immunise 3.8 million people, alongside agreements it made with three other suppliers. New Zealand experts comment on the decisions.
Those at high risk of Covid-19 in south Auckland and certain aged care facilities will be priorities for the vaccine roll-out after border and frontline healthcare workers. Following this group will be over-65s and people with underlying health conditions across the country. The vaccine will then be distributed to the remainder of the population. The SMC asked experts to comment on the roll-out plan.
An Air New Zealand flight attendant tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, shortly after receiving a shot of the Pfizer vaccine. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday morning the vaccine takes a couple of weeks to work, so they wouldn’t have expected the person to be protected from the virus. The SMC asked experts to comment.
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (Comirnaty) has been provisionally approved for use by New Zealand’s medicines regulator. Medsafe has placed 58 conditions on the approval, most of which relate to seeing more data as the company scales up its manufacturing.
Vaccinators are the first people in New Zealand to get the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 jab. Border and MIQ workers and their families will start getting vaccinations next, with the government planning to immunise thousands by mid-March as part of its rollout plan. The SMC asked experts to comment on the rollout.
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.
