The ANSM recorded 149 reports, received between February 6 and 10, reporting “high intensity flu syndromes” in caregivers who had a first injection of the British vaccine.
- None of the other 21 countries in the European Union that use this vaccine have reported such effects.
- For the Pfizer vaccine, the ANSM noted 73 cases of short-term arterial hypertension which do not call into question its safety.
- In Moselle, the rapid progression of the Brazilian and South African variants raises fears that the situation is getting out of control.
The first injections of AstraZeneca’s vaccine did not go without a hitch. The National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) has revealed this Thursday, February 11 having received 149 pharmacovigilance reports between February 6 and 10 mentioning “high-intensity flu syndromes (high fever, body aches or headaches)” in caregivers who received a first dose of the British vaccine, i.e. 1.49% of caregivers vaccinated with this vaccine. “It is a signal that must be taken seriously, analyzed”, reacted Alain Fischer, president of the Council of orientation of the vaccine strategy, this Friday on France info.
No similar reaction in other European countries
The adverse effects observed, recalls the ANSM, are “known and described with vaccines”. Of the 10,000 people who received a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the cases of adverse side effects were reported in healthcare professionals with an average age of 34 years. “We know that in the 48 hours following a vaccination we can have reactions of this type, flu syndromespecifies Alain Fischer. What is a little surprising is that apparently, things have to be analyzed, there seems to be a little more than expected. But we know that a fraction of young people can develop these kinds of symptoms..” None of the other 21 countries in the European Union that use this vaccine have reported such effects.
In response, the ANSM recommends “staggered vaccination of the staff of the same department. In case of fever and/or pain, we advise to favor the use of paracetamol at the lowest dose and for the shortest possible time..” This would avoid having too many healthcare staff absent at the same time and in the same place.
In Moselle, the variants are progressing and worrying
Adverse effects have also been observed following injection of the Pfizer vaccine. The ANSM noted 73 cases of high blood pressure, out of the 2,140 cases of adverse effects noted between January 30 and February 4, of short duration which do not call into question its safety but which “constitute a signal that must be monitored”. The symptoms suggestive of high blood pressure, the ANSM list, are malaise, headaches and dizziness. Faced with these symptoms,we recommend that vaccinated people carry out a blood pressure check for the earliest possible medical treatment if this proves to be necessary”, continues the Agency. For the Moderna vaccine, the data reported between January 22 and February 4 reported 40 cases of adverse effects without this being accompanied by a safety signal.
In Moselle, the rapid progression of the Brazilian and South African variants raises fears that the situation is getting out of control. After the discovery of 300 cases of Brazilian and South African variants, the mayor of Metz, François Grosdidier (LR), called for strict confinement in his department. A concern shared by Olivier Véran during his press conference Thursday, January 11. To cope with this outbreak in Moselle where “the situation is more worrying”, the Minister of Health did not exclude the possibility of taking rapid measures. “We must obviously be ready to act, if the situation should require it.in order to protect the population in a territory which has already paid a heavy price for the pandemic”, he indicated.
The Moselle on alert after the detection of 300 cases of variants. A sudden explosion of cases and a situation considered worrying by the Minister of Health Olivier Véran #ApollineMatin pic.twitter.com/CsuR9Y3vuY
— RMC (@RMCinfo) February 12, 2021
.