In July, AstraZeneca paused its global trials after another volunteer was found to have “an undiagnosed case of multiple sclerosis” that also was said to be unrelated to the vaccine. In September, the vaccine manufacturer paused its global trials again when a 37-year old woman experienced an inflammation of the spinal cord after receiving her second dose of the vaccine and had to be hospitalized. The trial has resumed in the UK, but is on hold in the US. -GEG
A volunteer in Brazil’s trial of AstraZeneca’s experimental coronavirus vaccine has died, the Brazilian health agency Anvisa announced on Wednesday, but organizers said there was no reason to stop the trial — an indication that the death is not linked to the vaccine.
Anvisa said that it was notified of the death on Monday but the International Evaluation and Security Committee overseeing the trial recommended that the trial continue. It was not clear whether the volunteer received the vaccine or a placebo shot as part of the trial, and Anvisa said no more information was being released for reasons of medical privacy.
“All significant medical incidents, whether participants are in the control group or the Covid-19 vaccine group, are independently reviewed. Following careful assessment of this case in Brazil, there have been no concerns about safety of the clinical trial and the independent review in addition to the Brazilian regulator have recommended that the trial should continue,” Oxford University told CNN in an emailed statement on Wednesday.
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