A Thorough Review

-

Yes, I'm talking about the vaccine. Again. Because since distribution began, 17 European countries have placed Oxford/AstraZeneca on hold due to concerns over blood clots. You know, the same concerns that I was mocked and hated for having only last month. 

I apologise if that comes across as bitter and hurt - it's only because I am. 

Today the BBC released a baffling article about the "thorough" review that AstraZeneca has undergone. So here is my thorough review of their flimsy attempt to stay with the official line. 

"The MHRA and the EMA say people can have confidence in the vaccine's benefits and should get immunised, despite some countries pausing use.

But anyone with a headache lasting more than four days after vaccination should seek medical advice, as a precaution.

The same advice applies if someone develops unusual bruising."

So... you should get it, but if you get symptoms of the blood clots that they definitely don't cause, seek medical attention. Hmm. Go on..

"That is because the regulators have received a very small number of reports of an extremely rare form of blood clot occurring in the brain.

In the UK, five cases of cerebral sinus vein thrombosis (CSVT), among 11 million people who have received the vaccine, occurred in men aged between 19 and 59. One of these was fatal.

The EMA has received an additional 13 reports of CSVT.

CSVT can occur naturally and no link to the vaccine has been established"

If it's "extremely rare", and 18 people have suddenly suffered from it who are all well outside of the common age for a stroke to occur, who all have a recent medical procedure in common, why isn't that a link?  

"Covid infection can make clots more likely."

SO. Not only did these people all have a recent medical procedure in common, said medical procedure is linked to an infection that can make clots more likely.

"The patients also had low blood platelet counts - cells involved with clotting." 

Platelets are indeed cells involved with blood clotting, but this excerpt is clumsily worded to make it sound like low blood platelets make clotting more likely. Actually, platelet cells make the clots. Fewer platelets = less risk of clot. These people had low blood platelets, meaning they wouldn't normally be at risk of a clot. Something would have had to happen - perhaps something entering the blood stream - to induce a clot in someone with a low platelet count.


This is why I have described the article as baffling: the theme is "it wasn't the vaccine we promise", but the details connote no other possible explanation. 

Also, the article only acknowledges the victims of CSVT - rare blood clotting in the brain. Other more common types of stroke may have gone unlinked. And what if the blood clots nearer the heart? Or anywhere, really. Why risk it? 

The effects that are more naturally occurring are harder to link back to the vaccine, but once there's clear correlation between AstraZeneca and one form of blood clot, other impacts should at least be recorded to see if it's more than would usually occur. And a more thorough investigation is warranted than this flat-out unfounded denial. 

"Innocent until proven guilty" applies to human beings, not new medical substances still in the trial stage. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56447367

https://medlineplus.gov/plateletdisorders.html#:~:text=Platelets%20play%20a%20major%20role,vessel%20and%20stop%20the%20bleeding.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Infamous Maskless Shop

-
Image
On Saturday, some friends and I went to the shop. A year ago, you'd have said "so?". This year, it's gone semi-viral on twitter - Simon Dolan, Gillian McKeith, and David Kurten have all weighed in with their support.  If you've been exercising your exemption, you know that going to the shop can be an ordeal. Workers who are misinformed of the law asking to see your exemption card, asking you to "wait outside" if you don't have an exemption card, some even ask what makes you exempt! It's all highly invasive and unnecessary (not to mention illegal). This is why we went as a group - for strength in numbers, to do something normal and not be harassed for it. Did we organise it? Yes. Did it make a statement? Sure. But the point to emphasise is that what we did was normal. We went to the shops together because we're friends.  Queueing up outside the shop, we were asked if we were all together. Once we said we weren't, that was that. No one both
Read more

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

-
 When someone criticises my articles, the first thing I ask them is "have you read it?". More often than not, they say no. They might say "I don't need to!" or "I know what it will say", but if you don't know for sure what you're taking issue against, that's a hell of a gamble with which to begin your argument.  This is how it's come about that people have decided I am "anti-vaxx", or a "crazy conspiracy theorist". If you've read my other posts you'll be aware that this is not the case, but people glancing at my Facebook feed may get a different impression. I'm not usually one to be bothered by people making false assumptions about me, because if people don't want to take the time to get to know me that's their problem. But when it comes from people who preach aggressively about being considerate of others, showing kindness and acceptance, thinking before you speak and keeping an open mind, it doe
Read more

A Stand In The Park

-
Image
  Both a literal and metaphorical stand, groups from all over England have been convening every Sunday in parks to share thoughts and ideas in defiance of the inhumane restrictions imposed by the Johnson regime.  Our stand, in Chelmsford, began with just four attendees, including myself. 5 weeks on, our numbers are 5 times as many and growing strong. Every week with the mix of first-timers, regulars, and people who come when they can, I get to meet and talk with a variety of amazing people who never fail to brighten my day. Being in a natural space with people who are not afraid of an uncovered smile, who don't treat one another as though we are "unclean" - it's a breath of fresh air in more ways than one.  It is a fundamental part of human life to gather with others. We gather to celebrate, to mourn, to worship, to work, and to simply share our experiences. The United Nations considers solitary confinement exceeding 15 days to be torture - Nils Melzer, UN Special Rap
Read more