COVID-19 vaccine makers have repeated the same mistakes…

COVID-19 vaccine makers have repeated the same mistakes made with the RSV, dengue, and 1976 swine flu vaccine fiascos?

“…those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.” Winston Churchill

·         MISTAKE: In the 1960s, an attempt at a RSV vaccine resulted in serious, life-threatening reactions including death.  Vaccines need to be thoroughly studied in animal models before human trials (Figure).

·         MISTAKE: COVID-19 vaccine makers skipped animal trials or conducted them simultaneously with human trials.

·         MISTAKE: Vaccination for dengue in previously uninfected persons, mainly children, resulted in more severe dengue infection and hospitalization compared to those who were not vaccinated. The vaccine had not been tested in them. Vaccines need to be studied in populations in whom they will be administered to establish safety and efficacy (Figure).

·         MISTAKE: COVID-19 vaccines were not tested on frail, older nursing home residents with multiple illnesses, and an unusually large numbers of deaths are occurring after vaccination in this population.

·         MISTAKE: The 1976 swine flu vaccine was developed in 7 months in 1976. Vaccination started October 1, 1976 and was halted before the end of the year because there were 532 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome and 58 deaths. Failure to take adequate time to ensure long-term safety and effectiveness led to a large number of unforeseen vaccine-related injuries and deaths (Figure).

·         MISTAKE: The COVID-19 vaccines were rushed through testing in less than 10 months. For the COVID-19 vaccines as of February 5, 2021, the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System has registered 285 vaccine deaths, 270 life-threatening reactions, 715 hospitalizations, and 2,053 Emergency Room visits.