Covid mRNA Vaccine Studies
Segment #541
Yale University has been involved in several studies related to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, covering various aspects from vaccine development and efficacy to potential side effects and lingering symptoms. Here's a summary of some key areas of their research:
1. Post-Vaccination Syndrome (PVS):
Yale researchers have been investigating a condition referred to as "post-vaccination syndrome" (PVS), characterized by persistent symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, exercise intolerance, insomnia, and dizziness that develop shortly after COVID-19 vaccination.1
A recent study (published as a preprint on medRxiv and covered by Yale News in Feb 2025) identified potential immunological patterns in individuals with PVS, including differences in immune cell populations (e.g., lower effector CD4+ T cells and higher TNF-alpha+ CD8 T cells).2
Surprisingly, some individuals with PVS had detectable levels of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in their system for more than 700 days after vaccination, even without prior infection, though it's unclear if this persistence directly causes chronic symptoms.3
The researchers emphasize that this work is in early stages and requires further validation, but it aims to understand the biological underpinnings of PVS to potentially guide diagnosis and treatment.
2. Myocarditis and Pericarditis:
Yale scientists have studied rare cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the heart lining) associated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, particularly in young males.
Their research (published in Science Immunology in May 2023) identified the immune signature of these cases, suggesting that the inflammation is not caused by vaccine-induced antibodies but by a more generalized, "over-revved" immune response involving immune cells and cytokines.
They noted that the risk of severe myocarditis is greater from COVID-19 infection itself than from vaccination, and that increasing the time between vaccine doses might reduce the risk.
3. Vaccine Development and Delivery:
Yale researchers have explored novel ways to deliver mRNA vaccines, including an inhalable vaccine using nanoparticles.4 This approach aims to provide protection against COVID-19 without an injection and could potentially be used for other mRNA therapeutics for lung diseases.
They are also studying how SARS-CoV-2 uses its spike protein to infect cells, which could inform the development of more effective vaccines that target less mutable regions of the virus.
4. Immune Response and Autoimmunity:
Studies from Yale have examined the impact of mRNA vaccines on anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody and T cell responses in both previously infected and uninfected individuals.5
HHS a New Approach
FDA's Stricter Requirements for New/Updated Vaccines: The FDA is reportedly implementing stricter requirements for approving new or updated COVID-19 vaccines (especially for lower-risk populations), potentially requiring more placebo-controlled trials. This is a move towards a more traditional regulatory pathway as the emergency phase of the pandemic recedes, but it could impact the development pipeline for future vaccines.
You're absolutely correct to bring up the recent news regarding the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This has been a very significant and controversial development.
What Happened:
In early June 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced that he had dismissed all 17 sitting members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Key Details and Reasons Given:
"Clean Sweep" and Conflicts of Interest: Secretary Kennedy stated that a "clean sweep" was needed to restore public trust in vaccines and to address what he claimed were "persistent conflicts of interest" and that the committee had become "little more than a rubber stamp for any vaccine." He suggested that many members had received substantial funding from pharmaceutical companies.
Reconstitution of ACIP: HHS announced that it would be reconstituting ACIP and appointing new members. The first eight new members were announced shortly after the dismissals, with reports indicating some have expressed skepticism about certain vaccines or have affiliations with vaccine-skeptical movements.
Bypassing Established Processes: This move followed earlier actions by Secretary Kennedy, such as removing the recommendation for COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women without first consulting or getting input from ACIP.