The Brighton Collaboration standardized template for collection of key information for benefit-risk assessment of inactivated viral vaccines

Deaths Related to New-Onset Seizures After Vaccination

Background: Adverse effects following vaccination are well-known. While most effects are mild and transient, some may be severe or even lethal. Particularly with regard to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations, which were "fast-tracked," it is incumbent upon the medical community to be diligent in identifying potential vaccine-associated adverse events so that physicians and patients can make truly informed decisions when considering the risks versus benefits of vaccination. Objective: To provide an in-depth discussion about post-vaccination seizures, particularly with regard to COVID-19 vaccinations. Research Design: Retrospective review of two cases where death was deemed to be the result of new-onset seizures; in each case, the seizures began shortly following vaccination. Subjects: In one case, death was certified by the primary care physician, without implicating the recent COVID-19 vaccination. In the other case, certified by the medical examiner, recent simultaneous vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine and an influenza vaccine were considered to be contributory to death. Measures: The case specifics are presented for each case, including clinical work-up (both cases) and autopsy findings (one case). Conclusions: When attempting to determine whether or not a seizure-related death is due to a vaccine-induced new-onset seizure disorder, forensic pathologists need to rule-out other explanations for the seizures. Although a temporal association between seizures and vaccination is not sufficient, in and of itself, to prove causality, the temporal association, in combination with the absence of another explanation for seizures, and knowledge of similar cases in the medical literature, is sufficient to ascribe a causal role to the vaccination.

The Brighton collaboration standardized module for vaccine benefit-risk assessment

Vaccine Benefit-Risk (B-R) assessment consists of evaluating the benefits and risks of a vaccine and making a judgment whether the expected key benefits outweigh the potential key risks associated with its expected use. B-R supports regulatory and public health decision-making throughout the vaccine's lifecycle. In August 2021, the Brighton Collaboration's Benefit-Risk Assessment of VAccines by TechnolOgy (BRAVATO) Benefit-Risk Assessment Module working group was established to develop a standard module to support the planning, conduct and evaluation of structured B-R assessments for vaccines from different platforms, based on data from clinical trials, post-marketing studies and real-world evidence. It enables sharing of relevant information via value trees, effects tables and graphical depictions of B-R trade-offs. It is intended to support vaccine developers, funders, regulators and policy makers in high-, middle- or low-income countries to help inform decision-making and facilitate transparent communication concerning development, licensure, deployment and other lifecycle decisions.

Anti-Coronavirus Vaccines: Past Investigations on SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV, the Approved Vaccines from BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna, Oxford/AstraZeneca and others under Development Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection

The aim of this review article is to summarize the knowledge available to date on prophylaxis achievements to fight against Coronavirus. This work will give an overview of what is reported in the most recent literature on vaccines (under investigation or already developed like BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, and ChAdOx1-S) effective against the most pathogenic Coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV-1, and SARS-CoV-2), with of course particular attention paid to those under development or already in use to combat the current COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 19) pandemic. Our main objective is to make a contribution to the comprehension, additionally at a molecular level, of what is currently ready for anti-SARS-CoV-2 prophylactic intervention, as well as to provide the reader with an overall picture of the most innovative approaches for the development of vaccines that could be of general utility in the fight against the most pathogenic Coronaviruses.