News of potential COVID-19 vaccines showing great promise has gotten people’s hopes up, sent the stock market soaring, and left Dan and me optimistically underwhelmed.
Forgive us if we’re somewhat skeptical of the vaccines that are getting pushed for fast-track approval from the Food and Drug Administration in hopes of controlling the coronavirus.
I’ve been there, done that with a Multiple Sclerosis medication.
Back in 2004, a newly introduced medication, Antegren, was quickly pulled off the market about a month before I was scheduled to take my first dose. Three patients who were taking it had developed Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), which is a rare and often fatal viral disease that damages white matter in the brain. The drug manufacturer withdrew Antegren to re-evaluate its safety.
After living with a progressive form of MS for nearly seven years, I had lost the ability to walk and had taken all the available disease-modifying therapies with limited results. I was counting on Antegren to be the answer.
Instead, I was so sucker punched.
Taking Antegren off the market was beyond disappointing, but it was the right move to protect me and other people with MS from the drug-related risks. And this is what has Dan and me a bit apprehensive about the fast-track for the coronavirus vaccine.
Yes, we trust the science. Yes, we trust the researchers. Yes, we trust the trials. It’s the timing we’re calling into question.
I realize we may not be making an apples-to-apples comparison when looking at an MS disease-modifying therapy to slow the progression of a chronic disease of the central nervous symptom vs. a vaccine to control a contagious respiratory virus. But consider this:
Online reports indicate that when the pharmaceutical company first submitted an application to the FDA for approving Antregen, it was based on the first-year data from two ongoing, two-year trials of the medication. This was a year’s worth of data researching a possible new treatment for a disease that was identified and named in 1868 by Parisian neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot.
And now, we are asking the FDA to rush-approve a vaccine that is backed by a few months’ worth of data into a virus that first was identified in December 2019.
Again, forgive us if we’re somewhat skeptical of the vaccines. Will they work? We believe they will… eventually.
We saw that after Antegren was pulled off the market and looked into a little further, it was reintroduced as Tysabri and it has effectively served as a DMT option for MS patients in the years since.
It definitely is encouraging to read National Geographic stating that there currently are more than 150 coronavirus vaccine in development worldwide and to hear national news programs reporting a vaccine could be available to frontline workers within weeks. The fight against this pandemic has come a long way in a matter of months.
When it comes to a COVID-19 vaccine, I trust the science, the researchers and the trials. It’s the limited understanding people have of the virus itself and the long-term side effects of such a fast-tracked pharmaceutical that has me initially hesitant to hop on board.
But, I guess you can consider my skepticism as one of the effects of living with MS for over half of my life.
Jennifer, you know I love you guys, but I want to present an alternative opinion. This is a once in a century pandemic. It calls for streamlining the approval process. People are dying at a frightening rate, and we are still on a steep part of the curve, so to speak. I think it makes sense to turn all the resources of the FDA toward approving vaccines for the coronavirus, and I plan to get vaccinated just as soon as they will let me. I understand how your history affects your trust of a process that seems hurried to you. But I don’t think expediting approval of these vaccines represents a drop in scrutiny. I think it just means that we have to accept that this disease is different from all others we are fighting right now, and to not expedite approval would be irresponsible of the FDA. And finally, I don’t trust the political arms of our government to make these decisions, but as long as people like Dr. Fauci assure me of the safety, I’m inclined to get vaccinated early and get vaccinated often. Wait, scratch that, I’m inclined to get vaccinated early 🙂
Thanks for checking in and adding to the conversation, Mitch! I totally appreciate your opinion and perspectives, and you gave us more to think about. It’s not that Dan and I are opposed to taking the vaccine (thank goodness they’re getting pushed through!), it’s just that we’re a little apprehensive to move forward with it right away. Wishing you the best 🙂 -Jennifer
Yeah it is a troubling pill to swallow when you consider the speed at which it all came together. But I trust the scientists & researchers.
I look at it this way…we have faith the mechanic repaired our brakes correctly, or tightened the lug nuts. We have faith in food manufacturers & restaurants for products we put in our bodies. The current situation isn’t much different when you think about it objectively.
I’ll get the shot when it comes my turn.
Great post, Jen! My best to you & Dan!
Thanks, Doug! It’s so great to hear from you. You make some really good points, and they make a lot of sense. We hear a lot about the fact that they are developing/releasing the vaccines, which again is a great thing, but something we haven’t heard a lot about are the drug side effects. And isn’t that something those of us who use MS disease-modifying therapies know a thing or two about? It will be nice when the vaccines are available to the public and we can do our own research into their specifics. All the best to you too! -Jennifer