This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jan/11/top-cancer-scientist-prof-martin-gore-dies-after-rare-reaction-to-yellow-fever-vaccination

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Top cancer scientist dies after yellow fever vaccination Top cancer scientist dies after yellow fever vaccination
(3 days later)
Prof Martin Gore, 67, one of the UK’s leading cancer scientists, has died as a result of a yellow fever vaccination, the Royal Marsden NHS foundation trust has said. Prof Martin Gore, 67, one of the UK’s leading cancer scientists, has died, the Royal Marsden NHS foundation trust has said. His death was following a yellow fever vaccination.
Gore, who was widely respected for his work, was professor of cancer medicine at the Institute of Cancer Research and a consultant at the Marsden.Gore, who was widely respected for his work, was professor of cancer medicine at the Institute of Cancer Research and a consultant at the Marsden.
Prince William, who is patron of the Marsden, paid tribute. “I’ve found Martin a source of inspiration,” he said, adding that Gore’s “passion for his work, and his obvious compassion and kindness for his patients, their family and friends, reinforces my knowledge that the Royal Marsden is a truly special place”.Prince William, who is patron of the Marsden, paid tribute. “I’ve found Martin a source of inspiration,” he said, adding that Gore’s “passion for his work, and his obvious compassion and kindness for his patients, their family and friends, reinforces my knowledge that the Royal Marsden is a truly special place”.
William added: “He’s one of the pioneers of 20th-century cancer care, and a friend, colleague and trusted doctor to many.”William added: “He’s one of the pioneers of 20th-century cancer care, and a friend, colleague and trusted doctor to many.”
Senior scientists expressed their sadness. Prof Peter Openshaw, a former president of the British Society for Immunology, said Gore “was a leader in the field of cancer biology and made a huge contribution to research in this area and the treatment of many thousands of patients. My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.”Senior scientists expressed their sadness. Prof Peter Openshaw, a former president of the British Society for Immunology, said Gore “was a leader in the field of cancer biology and made a huge contribution to research in this area and the treatment of many thousands of patients. My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.”
Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required by some countries as a condition of entry. Deaths from the vaccination were very rare, but there was a higher risk among older people, said Openshaw.Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required by some countries as a condition of entry. Deaths from the vaccination were very rare, but there was a higher risk among older people, said Openshaw.
He said: “Yellow fever is a serious viral disease that is found in the tropics and spread by mosquito bite. The vaccine for yellow fever has been available for many years and multiple studies have been conducted into its safety and effectiveness.He said: “Yellow fever is a serious viral disease that is found in the tropics and spread by mosquito bite. The vaccine for yellow fever has been available for many years and multiple studies have been conducted into its safety and effectiveness.
“While overall risk of serious side-effects remains very low (at about one in 100,000 of vaccine recipients), it seems that people aged over 60 have a three to fourfold increased risk of experiencing these serious effects compared with younger people. However, this estimate is based on very few reported adverse events.“While overall risk of serious side-effects remains very low (at about one in 100,000 of vaccine recipients), it seems that people aged over 60 have a three to fourfold increased risk of experiencing these serious effects compared with younger people. However, this estimate is based on very few reported adverse events.
“This risk has to be balanced against the risk of contracting yellow fever if you are travelling to an infected area – a nasty disease with a high mortality rate.”“This risk has to be balanced against the risk of contracting yellow fever if you are travelling to an infected area – a nasty disease with a high mortality rate.”
Openshaw added: “The NHS advises that all people over the age of 60 talk to their doctor before getting this vaccine, and that the best way to avoid the serious complications that may follow yellow fever infection is not to travel to parts of the world that put you at risk.”Openshaw added: “The NHS advises that all people over the age of 60 talk to their doctor before getting this vaccine, and that the best way to avoid the serious complications that may follow yellow fever infection is not to travel to parts of the world that put you at risk.”
Yellow fever vaccine contained a live attenuated form of the virus, said Dr Louisa James, a lecturer in immunology at Queen Mary University of London.Yellow fever vaccine contained a live attenuated form of the virus, said Dr Louisa James, a lecturer in immunology at Queen Mary University of London.
She said: “Yellow fever vaccine works by activating an immune response against the virus and this response can protect against infection for up to 10 years. Yellow fever vaccine is highly effective and mass vaccination campaigns in the early 20th century led to a disappearance of the disease in many African countries.She said: “Yellow fever vaccine works by activating an immune response against the virus and this response can protect against infection for up to 10 years. Yellow fever vaccine is highly effective and mass vaccination campaigns in the early 20th century led to a disappearance of the disease in many African countries.
“More than 600m doses of yellow fever vaccine have been given worldwide and it is safe for the majority of individuals. Yellow fever vaccine can very rarely cause severe side-effects, including life-threatening illness. People over 60 appear to have a slightly higher risk of experiencing side-effects from yellow fever vaccine but the risk remains extremely low.“More than 600m doses of yellow fever vaccine have been given worldwide and it is safe for the majority of individuals. Yellow fever vaccine can very rarely cause severe side-effects, including life-threatening illness. People over 60 appear to have a slightly higher risk of experiencing side-effects from yellow fever vaccine but the risk remains extremely low.
“Vaccination is an essential strategy to combat the devastating impact of yellow fever virus which killed tens of thousands of people during recent outbreaks in Africa.”“Vaccination is an essential strategy to combat the devastating impact of yellow fever virus which killed tens of thousands of people during recent outbreaks in Africa.”
• This article was amended on 14 January 2019. The Royal Marsden NHS foundation trust did not say Prof Martin Gore died “as a result of a yellow fever vaccination”, as an earlier version said. Gore died following a yellow fever vaccination, and the trust released a statement confirming his death. This has been corrected.
UK newsUK news
Yellow feverYellow fever
Vaccines and immunisationVaccines and immunisation
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content