In the Catholic Church I think that would qualify for beatification.
Can we start a petition for sainthood based on this miracle, and include all the researchers who contributed after these initial mRNA platform breakthroughs?
I’m sitting here typing with a somewhat sore back and headache, and very achy left deltoid having received my XBB booster 7 hours ago. We also owe a debt of gratitude to so many on the front lines, the essentials, and the folks who advanced the science and awareness of ventilation and respirators.
Hallelujah, and thanks for the exciting glimpse of the future.
Ingenuity coupled with increasingly sophisticated technology portends many amazing changes in our public health approaches with each passing year. Yet, with all the well-deserved accolades, there is the reality that 25-30% of the population has little or no confidence in vaccines for mitigating COVID19. These same vaccine deniers often depend on social media rumor mills for healthcare decision making. Credible therapies above and beyond antivirals must be added to the mix. Repurposing has been considered, but often pushed aside in favor of new designer drugs with more than just a little commercial interest behind them and at enormous cost to the public debt. In 2020 repurposing via the CURE Drug Repurposing collaboratory (CDRC) was establish by the formation of this public-private agency. CDRC Leadership more recently, however, has altered its original focus in identifying effective therapies by physicians outside the realm of research clinics treating COVID19 cases. Thus, there remains a lack of credible therapy save for the pure antiviral nirmeltrivir/ritonivir even after 4 years of dealing with such a novel infection.
…and Peter McCullough the Texas Cardiologist whose presentation to the European Parliament was a plea to stop the “human sacrifice” by promoting those horrible mRNA shots. The transcription has a number of typos but the gist is loud and clear. I’m no expert but I understand the science and accepting the concept of having foreign RNA throughout my body just waiting to destroy me like a Trojan horse sounds pretty outlandish to me. Does McCollough eschew Hep B, Shingrix, Tdap, polio preventives as well?
As I read it, McCullough's position, like that of Robert Malone and others, is entirely anti-vax, including mRNA vaccines. They and others subscribe to the tenets of the Great Barrington Declaration promulgated at the outset of the pandemic supporting the role of naturally acquired immunity and avoidance of vaccines, lock-downs as a preventative approach to containment. Some might say it's a somewhat cruel effort to write-off the aged, immune-compromised or otherwise very vulnerable persons. Some Mom's of yesteryear having a child suffering with varicella (chickenpox) would have chickenpox gatherings to expose other kids all at the same time to "get on with it" and "go about our business of raising them". Apparently there was no concern for viral sepsis, encephalitis, or varicella pneumonitis that might be a serious complication. As with varicella, COVID19 is not just a bad cold in the susceptible. I'm aware of some persons that have had 3-5 episodes of COVID19 over the past 4 yrs. These were vaccinated and unvaccinated persons. They survived but often with lingering symptoms. Are the vaccines a failure? No, they just aren't perfect. The virus seeks the susceptible and has its survival mechanisms for disrupting the best intentions of our vaccines. This important concept forms the basis for my/our sense of urgency to combine the best vaccinology with the best therapies, particularly repurposed therapy, to reduce the virus' capacity to infect, reproduce, to transmit, and subsequently create an immune process to form an antigen (idiotypic antibody) that lingers and supports system-wide endotheliitis creating an environment for blood clots, brain fog, chronic fatigue and likely a basis for myocarditis and lingering pulmonary complications such as fibrosis (lung scarring). The next-generation intranasal trivalent MMS technology recently described, could address many of the concerns by McCullough and others yet I would be surprised if any of this cadre will support that sort of vaccine either. Vaccines make sense to me, but only with synergism by addressing safe and consistent therapies since 25-30% of the population declines to participate based on some high percentages of real or perceived hazards of vaccines. Unfortunately, while many repurposed therapies include generics with decades old safety records, these generics aren't the favored "designer" drugs with a clear-cut commercializing potential - return on investment. That's a significant barrier for large scale studies but certainly would be beneficial for Federal funding by benefitting the public and not burdening the public debt further.
It occurred to me that the alleged European Parliament presentation, by the anti-vaxxer McCullough needed to be fact-checked, and indeed it is a hoax according to this fact-check website:
There is actually a phase III trial of a Pfizer mRNA influenza vaccine compared to the current standard influenza vaccine. Open at about 382 sites in the US as well as sites in Europe, SA and Asian Islands.
This article reminded me of the purity and essential goodness of the scientist's vocation. And at the same time, the essential triviality of the politician's. How, oh how, did misinformation and social media and politics ever intrude into Science? The latter is at least five rungs above their intellectual pay grade.
Thank you for this excellent overview (even the parts that are a bit over my head). I have followed your reporting and commentary on the significance of the mRNA breakthrough over time, and it is through you that I have gained a much deeper appreciation of the importance of the work of these two Nobel winners. It is particularly heartening to know, as you state, “The Karikó-Weissman breakthrough has evolved as a remarkable foundation for new vaccines, for both infectious diseases for which we didn’t have a vaccine, and many non-infectious diseases, and as therapeutics.”
Also, speaking of science heroes of the pandemic, I hope folks have seen that Linsey Marr was awarded a MacArthur genius grant. Her quiet persistence in getting the entire scientific community to shift its paradigm on airborne diseases was nothing short of remarkable.
A colleague has raised an issue regarding the MMS nasal antigenic delivery platform that would be an excellent topic for a Topol treatise if you could accommodate your readers.
I quote: “Intranasal vaccines are a good solution, because they should form a local immunity in respiratory mucosa, the gate for SARS-Cov-2 infection. However, there is one serious danger: our nose is a direct portal to the brain, through olfactory bulbs. Therefore, the antigenic material can directly and fast appear in the brain.” RS
Are there no comments about this issue that could enlighten readers within this erudite and valuable forum??? The issues raised by Bellavite et al have great relevance to this MMS platform for vaccinology. What are the potential adverse consequences for direct introduction into the olfactory bulbs/frontal lobes? Will it be another “wait and see“? Surely we must look at both sides of the question.
As always, beautifully written piece Dr. Topol. When can we expect a nasal mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for humans that induces robust mucosal and systemic immunity? Can you envision an mRNA therapeutic that counteracts the autoimmune components of the long term sequelae of COVID-19?
It’s always valuable to have a different perspective even if it is more of a “devils advocate“ approach. The technical, biological and immunological details of the mRNA vaccines are mostly appreciated by those with some advanced education in science, but do we fully appreciate that there might be some negative aspects? Yes, there are vaccine-deniers that we tend to disparage as “uninformed, quasi-scientific, or downright misinformation specialists” but let’s be realistic, we need a few challenges to approach the adverse issues that have indeed appeared as the mRNA vaccines have become more widespread. I am particularly interested in hearing comments about the article describing The “immune response and molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular adverse events of spike proteins from SARS-Cov2, and mRNA vaccines” by Bellavite et al
50 million lives saved and counting.
In the Catholic Church I think that would qualify for beatification.
Can we start a petition for sainthood based on this miracle, and include all the researchers who contributed after these initial mRNA platform breakthroughs?
I’m sitting here typing with a somewhat sore back and headache, and very achy left deltoid having received my XBB booster 7 hours ago. We also owe a debt of gratitude to so many on the front lines, the essentials, and the folks who advanced the science and awareness of ventilation and respirators.
Hallelujah, and thanks for the exciting glimpse of the future.
thanks. in complete agreement!
Ingenuity coupled with increasingly sophisticated technology portends many amazing changes in our public health approaches with each passing year. Yet, with all the well-deserved accolades, there is the reality that 25-30% of the population has little or no confidence in vaccines for mitigating COVID19. These same vaccine deniers often depend on social media rumor mills for healthcare decision making. Credible therapies above and beyond antivirals must be added to the mix. Repurposing has been considered, but often pushed aside in favor of new designer drugs with more than just a little commercial interest behind them and at enormous cost to the public debt. In 2020 repurposing via the CURE Drug Repurposing collaboratory (CDRC) was establish by the formation of this public-private agency. CDRC Leadership more recently, however, has altered its original focus in identifying effective therapies by physicians outside the realm of research clinics treating COVID19 cases. Thus, there remains a lack of credible therapy save for the pure antiviral nirmeltrivir/ritonivir even after 4 years of dealing with such a novel infection.
Ref: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/cure-id-moves-automated-data-collection-light-covid-pandemic
…and Peter McCullough the Texas Cardiologist whose presentation to the European Parliament was a plea to stop the “human sacrifice” by promoting those horrible mRNA shots. The transcription has a number of typos but the gist is loud and clear. I’m no expert but I understand the science and accepting the concept of having foreign RNA throughout my body just waiting to destroy me like a Trojan horse sounds pretty outlandish to me. Does McCollough eschew Hep B, Shingrix, Tdap, polio preventives as well?
As I read it, McCullough's position, like that of Robert Malone and others, is entirely anti-vax, including mRNA vaccines. They and others subscribe to the tenets of the Great Barrington Declaration promulgated at the outset of the pandemic supporting the role of naturally acquired immunity and avoidance of vaccines, lock-downs as a preventative approach to containment. Some might say it's a somewhat cruel effort to write-off the aged, immune-compromised or otherwise very vulnerable persons. Some Mom's of yesteryear having a child suffering with varicella (chickenpox) would have chickenpox gatherings to expose other kids all at the same time to "get on with it" and "go about our business of raising them". Apparently there was no concern for viral sepsis, encephalitis, or varicella pneumonitis that might be a serious complication. As with varicella, COVID19 is not just a bad cold in the susceptible. I'm aware of some persons that have had 3-5 episodes of COVID19 over the past 4 yrs. These were vaccinated and unvaccinated persons. They survived but often with lingering symptoms. Are the vaccines a failure? No, they just aren't perfect. The virus seeks the susceptible and has its survival mechanisms for disrupting the best intentions of our vaccines. This important concept forms the basis for my/our sense of urgency to combine the best vaccinology with the best therapies, particularly repurposed therapy, to reduce the virus' capacity to infect, reproduce, to transmit, and subsequently create an immune process to form an antigen (idiotypic antibody) that lingers and supports system-wide endotheliitis creating an environment for blood clots, brain fog, chronic fatigue and likely a basis for myocarditis and lingering pulmonary complications such as fibrosis (lung scarring). The next-generation intranasal trivalent MMS technology recently described, could address many of the concerns by McCullough and others yet I would be surprised if any of this cadre will support that sort of vaccine either. Vaccines make sense to me, but only with synergism by addressing safe and consistent therapies since 25-30% of the population declines to participate based on some high percentages of real or perceived hazards of vaccines. Unfortunately, while many repurposed therapies include generics with decades old safety records, these generics aren't the favored "designer" drugs with a clear-cut commercializing potential - return on investment. That's a significant barrier for large scale studies but certainly would be beneficial for Federal funding by benefitting the public and not burdening the public debt further.
It occurred to me that the alleged European Parliament presentation, by the anti-vaxxer McCullough needed to be fact-checked, and indeed it is a hoax according to this fact-check website:
https://leadstories.com/hoax-alert/2023/09/fact-check-peter-mccullough-did-not-officially-address-european-parliament-on-september-13-2023-gathering-was-not-a-hearing.html
There is actually a phase III trial of a Pfizer mRNA influenza vaccine compared to the current standard influenza vaccine. Open at about 382 sites in the US as well as sites in Europe, SA and Asian Islands.
This article reminded me of the purity and essential goodness of the scientist's vocation. And at the same time, the essential triviality of the politician's. How, oh how, did misinformation and social media and politics ever intrude into Science? The latter is at least five rungs above their intellectual pay grade.
Thank you for this excellent overview (even the parts that are a bit over my head). I have followed your reporting and commentary on the significance of the mRNA breakthrough over time, and it is through you that I have gained a much deeper appreciation of the importance of the work of these two Nobel winners. It is particularly heartening to know, as you state, “The Karikó-Weissman breakthrough has evolved as a remarkable foundation for new vaccines, for both infectious diseases for which we didn’t have a vaccine, and many non-infectious diseases, and as therapeutics.”
Also, speaking of science heroes of the pandemic, I hope folks have seen that Linsey Marr was awarded a MacArthur genius grant. Her quiet persistence in getting the entire scientific community to shift its paradigm on airborne diseases was nothing short of remarkable.
Thanks Susan. I was thrilled to see Linsey Marr's recognition, too
Dr Topol,
A colleague has raised an issue regarding the MMS nasal antigenic delivery platform that would be an excellent topic for a Topol treatise if you could accommodate your readers.
I quote: “Intranasal vaccines are a good solution, because they should form a local immunity in respiratory mucosa, the gate for SARS-Cov-2 infection. However, there is one serious danger: our nose is a direct portal to the brain, through olfactory bulbs. Therefore, the antigenic material can directly and fast appear in the brain.” RS
Are there no comments about this issue that could enlighten readers within this erudite and valuable forum??? The issues raised by Bellavite et al have great relevance to this MMS platform for vaccinology. What are the potential adverse consequences for direct introduction into the olfactory bulbs/frontal lobes? Will it be another “wait and see“? Surely we must look at both sides of the question.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36830987/
As always, beautifully written piece Dr. Topol. When can we expect a nasal mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for humans that induces robust mucosal and systemic immunity? Can you envision an mRNA therapeutic that counteracts the autoimmune components of the long term sequelae of COVID-19?
thanks and yes, extremely likely in the years ahead
It’s always valuable to have a different perspective even if it is more of a “devils advocate“ approach. The technical, biological and immunological details of the mRNA vaccines are mostly appreciated by those with some advanced education in science, but do we fully appreciate that there might be some negative aspects? Yes, there are vaccine-deniers that we tend to disparage as “uninformed, quasi-scientific, or downright misinformation specialists” but let’s be realistic, we need a few challenges to approach the adverse issues that have indeed appeared as the mRNA vaccines have become more widespread. I am particularly interested in hearing comments about the article describing The “immune response and molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular adverse events of spike proteins from SARS-Cov2, and mRNA vaccines” by Bellavite et al
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36830987/