The rising cases of corona at the global level have once again started scaring. During the last one month, a rapid jump in infection cases has been seen everywhere in Hong Kong-Singapore, India-America. The information received from America is increasing the concern even more.
Global Rise in COVID-19 Cases: The Alarming Trend
According to the report of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 300 people are dying from corona every week here.
New Variants JN.1, NB.1.8.1, and LF.7 Identified – Experts say that the JN.1 spreading this time and the sub-variants (NB.1.8.1 and LF.7) generated by the mutation in it are definitely contagious, but not fatal. Most of the people who are dying from this are either victims of comorbidity (already having one or two chronic diseases) or have weak immunity.
Health experts say that it is important to follow COVID appropriate behavior to prevent corona, apart from this vaccination is still the most effective way. However, the report of a recent study on vaccination has scared people.
Are These Variants More Dangerous?
How does the COVID vaccine affect the body? To understand this, Israeli researchers conducted a study that assessed the effects of the vaccine on children’s health.
COVID Vaccine and Autoimmune Risk in Children
The team of scientists found that children and adolescents who took at least one COVID vaccine may have a 23% higher risk of developing an autoimmune disease than unvaccinated children. Israeli researchers said, this study draws attention to growing concerns about the emergence of new autoimmune diseases.
Other Scientific Studies Raising Red Flags
The findings of this study have been published in the Journal of Pediatric Rheumatology. During the research, the incidence of autoimmune diseases before and after the COVID pandemic was studied using medical data of 4.93 lakh patients up to the age of 21 years.
Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the body’s immune system starts attacking healthy cells instead of protecting the body.
Health experts said that autoimmune diseases include a variety of conditions, including type-1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, celiac disease and rare neurological disorders such as Guillain-Barre syndrome.
These studies also raised concerns
Earlier in March, another report published in Molecular Systems Biology also raised an alert about the COVID-19 vaccine and the increasing cases of autoimmune diseases caused by it. A study conducted by 19 German scientists said that mRNA (mRNA COVID-19) vaccines may cause long-term changes in genetic structures in some situations, which lead to increased inflammatory response. These can lead to the onset of cancer and autoimmune disorders.
Another study found that people who were given the COVID-19 vaccine had increased levels of multiple proinflammatory cytokines, proteins that help regulate the immune system. These cytokines may trigger chronic inflammation, immune system dysfunction, and autoimmune diseases.
Q1. Are the new COVID variants more dangerous than before?
The JN.1 and its sub-variants are more contagious but less fatal. Most severe cases involve people with comorbidities or weak immunity.
Q2. Can the COVID-19 vaccine cause autoimmune diseases in children?
A study by Israeli researchers found a 23% increased risk of autoimmune diseases in vaccinated children compared to unvaccinated ones.
Q3. Should parents avoid vaccinating children after these studies?
Health experts still recommend consulting doctors. While studies suggest possible risks, vaccines remain effective in preventing severe COVID.
