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Scientists and toxicology experts say PFAS chemicals known to affect the immune system could impact the efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine. While the link has not yet been cemented, they are concerned that communities with high exposures to PFAS may be more vulnerable during the pandemic.
Dr. Jamie DeWitt is associate professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at East Carolina University.
“What we understand then about COVID and PFAS on the immune system is that people with higher levels of PFAS in their blood are at increased risk of immunotoxicity,” DeWitt says.
Dr. Linda Birnbaum is former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program.
Jamie DeWitt, toxicologist and associate professor at East Carolina University, has conducted extensive research on PFAS exposure and human health. (Photo: ECU)
The COVID-19 vaccine could be less effective in people with high levels of perfluorinated compounds PFAS in their blood, several scientists announced today.
High levels of PFAS exposure is known to be linked to a “plethora of adverse health effects,” including immune system disorders, said Linda Birnbaum, a toxicologist and former director of the National Institute for Environmental Health Science.
That means people with high levels of PFAS in their blood could have a weaker response to the COVID-19 vaccine, and build up fewer antibodies to the vaccine.
PFAS exposure may reduce COVID-19 vaccine potency, experts warn
Updated Dec 17, 2020;
Posted Dec 17, 2020
Ravinder Singala, a physican and UM-Flint graduate, receives a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine shot on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 at McLaren Flint Hospital in Flint. Singala was one of the first five frontline workers at the hospital to receive the vaccine. (Jake May | MLive.com)Jake May | Mlive.com
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Toxicologists who specialize in the health effects of “forever chemicals” known as PFAS are warning that exposure to the toxic substances may increase the risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms and undermine the efficacy of vaccinations just starting to be given against the disease.
Experts: Prioritize COVID-19 vaccine for those with high exposure to PFAS chemicals
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Experts say that people who have high exposure to PFAS chemicals found in food packaging and cleaning products, among other sources should be prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein /UPI | License Photo
Dec. 17 (UPI) People with higher levels of toxic, manmade chemicals in their bloodstream should be given priority for a COVID-19 vaccine, scientists who represent the Environmental Working Group said Thursday.
This is because these toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, or PFAS, which are found in many household cleaning products, pesticides and food packaging, appear to adversely affect the human immune system s ability to fight infectious diseases, the scientists said.
Frank Eltman / AP
Advocates at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) want more studies that explore how PFAS exposure may affect COVID-19 severity and vaccine efficacy. Toxicoligists say they are concerned about communities with high traces of so-called forever chemicals in drinking water, because residents may get sicker with Coronavirus and may respond less to the COVID-19 vaccine.
PFAS are chemicals used in everything from take-out containers to firefighting foam. High levels of the chemicals have been found in drinking water on Long Island.
Dr. Jaime Dewitt, who researches PFAS at East Carolina University, said an early study of COVID-19 patients in Denmark could be a model for further PFAS research in the U.S.