Historically, much of the safety assessment of a new vaccine was deferred to post-introduction. Safety assessments within pre-approval clinical trials tended to be separate from post-approval Real-World evidence (RWE). There were barriers to implementing a vaccine lifecycle approach, including a disconnect between separate teams and staff for pre- versus post-approval. Applicability in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs) was also limited. In fact, LMICs were often missing large administrative datasets.

The surge and rapid dissemination of misinformation means it is essential that vaccine communications employ the most effective techniques first time, every time. Debunking is one of these, provision of correct information can be done by experts and non-experts ‘on-the-spot’.

One of the most perplexing health challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is the enigmatic condition known as long COVID. As the name suggests, it refers to a multitude of symptoms and conditions that persist beyond three-months after someone has been infected with the virus. These symptoms cannot be explained by other diagnoses, making it a puzzle that continues to baffle researchers and healthcare professionals alike.

Vaccines authorised for use are incredibly safe, but the risk for serious side effects is not ‘0’. Vaccine safety scientists exist because vaccines are not 100% safe. Just to be clear, nothing in the multi-verse is 100% safe but vaccines can come pretty close. The risks of COVID-19 disease are far greater than risks posed by the vaccines.