UK to use AI for COVID-19 vaccine side effects

According to a report, the UK Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has awarded a contract to Genpact UK to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) powered tool to screen the high volume or reports on adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines. The government contract notes that the AI tool will process COVID-19 vaccine adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and ensure that no important details are missed. The MHRA states that the lack of the AI tool will hinder its ability to rapidly identify any potential safety issues with the vaccine, which would pose a direct threat to patient life and public health. The contract also acknowledges that the timelines of the COVID-19 vaccine have been accelerated and that an accurate analysis of its safety may not be available when the vaccines are trialled nation-wide.