In the recent additions to our Coronavirus Pandemic Updates Explained Clearly series, Professor Roger Seheult, MD discusses anticoagulants, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and research on pregnancy, COVID-19, and vaccines.
Coronavirus Update 120: Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners) Improve Hospital Outcomes (Full Dose)
In update 120, Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners) Improve Hospital Outcomes (Full Dose), Dr. Seheult reviews a study from the New England Journal of Medicine on increased prevalence of blood clots in COVID-19 patients. He then talks about variations in anticoagulation treatments, such as prophylactic (low dose) versus “full dose” (high dose) and regimens for different stages of the disease. Dr. Seheult explains this small, randomized, controlled trial from Thrombosis Research, which showed that therapeutic, higher dose anticoagulants decreased the need for mechanical ventilation in severe COVID-19.
However, further research — including data from a massive multiple-platform, randomized, controlled study — clarifies that high dose anticoagulant treatment only improved outcomes for moderately ill patients, not those in the ICU. This information raises questions about when and for whom anticoagulants should be prescribed, and further research is necessary to clarify the most effective practices.
Coronavirus Update 121: Johnson and Johnson Vaccine – Efficacy and Safety vs. Pfizer & Moderna
In update 121, which covers safety and efficacy of the Johnson & Johnson adenovirus vaccine, Dr. Seheult goes through the preliminary data on this vaccine compared to Moderna’s and Pfizer’s mRNA vaccines. Requiring only one shot, The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was tested in areas with high prevalence of COVID-19 variants and appear to be very effective at preventing severe COVID-19.. This vaccine may also actually get better with age, as it showed 100% efficacy against severe COVID-19 illness 49 days after the injection. Preliminary data suggests that side effects of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are minimal, and we will continue sharing updates on all of the vaccine candidates as information becomes available.
Coronavirus Update 122: The Research So Far on COVID-19 and Vaccines vs. Pregnancy
In update 122, Dr. Seheult reviews the latest information on pregnancy, COVID-19, and vaccines. This video continues a conversation in which Co-Founder and Producer, Kyle Allred, interviews reproductive immunology expert, Victoria Male, PhD. Dr. Seheult explains current research on how pregnancy may affect the severity of COVID-19 illness, as well as vaccine safety and efficacy for pregnant people.
A few takeaways: COVID-19 infection may increase risk of preterm birth and admission to the neonatal ICU, being pregnant increases the likelihood of more severe COVID-19 symptoms, pregnancy likely has little effect on vaccine efficacy, and current/preliminary data does not show a signal that authorized COVID-19 vaccines impact pregnancy outcomes. For detailed explanations and insight into the nuances of this research, please watch the full update 122 here.
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